Arab politics and economy present a diverse picture

Dubai: Going by the expert opinions of political and business leaders attending a major strategy conference here, the Arab world is "on the verge of collapse" politically, but it is "a success story" economically.

"The region is on the verge of collapse," said Dr Abdul Hamid Al Ansari, former dean of Islamic studies in Qatar University, summing up the views of most experts who took turns at the Arab Strategy Forum to discuss the ills and remedies of the region. "We are faced with a potential civil war in more than one country."

Fellow panelist and Islamist columnist Fahmi Huwaidi agreed. "The region has been hijacked by [the United States]. We cannot even think for ourselves," he said. For leading Egyptian sociologist Sa'ad Al Deen Ebrahim, the region is being manipulated by "tyrants, extremists and invaders."

Meanwhile it is all roses on the business front as regional economies enjoy "filthy liquidity" and national companies are taking on global competitors, said enthusiastic CEOs and analysts. For example, in Saudi Arabia, where political evolution is traditionally slow, economic legislations are being fast-tracked to meet global standards, according to Omar Hamzawy, senior associate at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"For those where the heart is strong and the mind is brilliant, you'll get the best of that world," Mohammad Ali Al Abbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, told attendees of a morning session.