The Middle East Turns the Page on 1967
©This is Beirut

The current developments in the region are a direct result of the political, social and economic repercussions stemming from a pivotal moment in the history of the region — the 1967 war. During this conflict, Nasser and the Arab states suffered significant territorial losses in Egypt and Jordan, with the capture of Jerusalem being the most critical blow.

This war marked a symbolic turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict as it became evident to Arabs that they could not challenge a state supported by international powers. Consequently, the focus shifted away from Nasser toward the Palestinian guerrilla movement, which operated from Lebanon until 1982, culminating in Yasser Arafat's departure. Subsequently, the conflict transitioned to revolve around Shiite influence and resistance to Israel, underscored by the rise of Hezbollah and the simultaneous expansion of Iranian influence across the Arab world.

While this analysis may seem exaggerated, the expansion of Iranian influence could be viewed as a strategic move to heighten the perception among the Sunni majority that the rise of political Shi’ism poses a greater threat than Israel's Jewish identity. This dynamic might have fostered conditions for rapprochement between Sunnis and Israel. Whether or not this theory holds true, the course of events suggests that developments since that period have been orchestrated to pave the way for regional peace, centered on Sunni-Jewish collaboration.

The journey toward regional transformation did not begin on October 7th; it started with the Camp David Accords in 1978, marking the first significant attempt to address the aftermath of the 1967 defeat. This was followed by Black September, the expulsion of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and a cascade of revolutions, coups and sectarian conflicts that reshaped the region. Today, we are witnessing the final stage of this process — a strategic effort to recalibrate the regional balance of power with the aim of achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace between Arabs and Israelis.

The 2002 Arab summit could not change this course as the "land for peace" proposal fell short of Israel’s expectations. Peace has been sought for more than sixty years, and major global changes often require that extended timeline to come to fruition. Unlike the Sykes-Picot agreement, where Britain and France dictated the region’s borders, the current redraw is being carried out by the US and Russia with Israel, Turkey and Iran playing key roles. Saudi Arabia, with its unparalleled ability to unify the Arab world, emerges as the pivotal ally in this endeavor.

This may well be the beginning of the end, with all the ongoing changes in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Iraq and beyond marking the final chapter of a narrative that began in 1967. This chapter is likely to conclude as the new year dawns, heralding the start of a new era — one that holds the promise of peace for the region.

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