The Doha Summit: Why Was the Option to Activate the Joint Arab Defense Agreement Excluded?

The emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha sparked a widespread debate over activating the Joint Arab Defense Agreement. This came after statements by the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, who asserted that current conditions are "not conducive" for its activation. He noted that Arab nations lack a "common enemy to activate this agreement against." The summit was convened to discuss a response to the Israeli aggression targeting Hamas offices in Qatar.

Historical and Practical Obstacles to Activation

According to many experts, the Joint Arab Defense Agreement, despite its symbolic value, has always faced significant challenges preventing its practical implementation. According to Egyptian journalist Ezzat Ibrahim, the main reasons for its previous failures were the divergent priorities of Arab states and the complexities of the regional and international landscape.

Similarly, the managing editor of the Qatari newspaper "Al-Raya," Majid Al-Jbara, noted that current regional and international realities make the practical activation of the agreement difficult. He identified the obstacles as:

1. Political Disagreement: Divergent stances among Arab countries weaken the possibility of a unified collective decision.

2. Disparity in Military and Economic Capabilities: Some parties are hesitant to enter into commitments that might exceed their capabilities or draw them into conflicts outside their priorities.

3. Strategic Ties with Major Powers: The complex relationships between many Arab capitals and major international powers, particularly the U.S. and Europe, make it difficult to act independently within an Arab framework.

Political Solidarity as a Realistic Option

Experts believe that the Doha summit has found political and diplomatic solidarity to be the most realistic option for the current moment. Ezzat Ibrahim stated that the summit's draft statement is an important step to maintain a united front, but he stressed the need to move from political statements to concrete steps, such as using economic and trade leverage.

In the same vein, the editor-in-chief of the Egyptian newspaper "Akhbar Al-Youm," Osama Al-Saeed, explained that activating the agreement is not just a technical matter but is tied to major shifts in the international system. He added that the draft statement reflected an awareness of these realities, focusing on political and diplomatic solidarity without addressing binding military steps. This confirms that the Joint Defense Agreement will remain "present in political discourse" but is "practically postponed" until more favorable conditions arise.