It is no secret that some of the region’s most bitter rivals share a common enemy in the radical fanatics who have taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria. Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) not only threatens to challenge the Middle East state system by tearing apart its borders, but it also plans to spread its culture of death and destruction across the region. This group represents a direct and immediate threat to every nation — a threat that requires a united and coordinated response from the major players in the Middle East.
Even the radicals have displayed characteristics of pragmatism and strategic thinking, making alliances at times and putting aside their fanatical beliefs when the need arises. They have identified an ultimate objective and have strived to work towards it no matter what means they use. Their adversaries have unfortunately not been as wise. While regional heavyweights recognise the gravity of the Daesh threat, they have not built up the courage to face it together. Perhaps they should see a bright side in the emergence of Daesh as that common enemy that will bring them together and put an end to decades of proxy conflicts. Even temporary cooperation can have a cascading effect in terms of trust. That kind of trust can eventually pave the way for the settlement of rest of the issues that the regional players have differences over.
Now is the time to grab the opportunity to put the differences aside. If a threat this grave cannot bring the regional adversaries together, then there is little hope that anything will. The region will, therefore, continue to live through cycles of proxy wars at the expense of innocent people held hostage by petty rivalries. As governments fight, only the people will suffer and the region will fall deeper into the abyss it finds itself in. Let 2015 be the year when the countries of our region will decide that the blood of innocents is much more valuable than bitter rivalries. Let it be the year in which Daesh can be ‘credited’ for bringing together the region in a united front that will eventually destroy it once and for all.
