Would the best solution here not be to let time do its job and let the inevitable progress for the better occur naturally? I mean, should we not all get our own house in order first before we attempt such projects? It's a genuine question.
Because my theory is that success breeds success. If a nation or more nations in a region have success (not temporary but based on strong foundations) the neighborhood will eventually want to emulate that nation/those nations and economic, geographic, cultural, religious, ethnic etc. factors will act as added initiatives to do so.
Therefore I always tend to focus on the economy the most. If that is working or on the right track (in country x or region y) there is a potential for closer overall ties. The GCC is a good example. Now all countries are adjusting to a post-oil/gas/natural resources economy and while the countries are doing this on their own by enacting their own laws and policies to change this, the overall region is working together simply because it benefits all parties. A strong and stable GCC is in the interests of all GCC nations. Of course shared language, ethnicity, culture, religion helps this but we also see this in the very diverse European Union or Europe. Or at least we saw it post WW2.
Of course it is not far-fetched to expect something similar to occur in the region and wider Muslim world at point in the future. When I say Muslim world here I obviously look at this from the perspective of the immediate region and I am not here talking about Western Papua (Indonesian land) or the Muslim minority in Benin in Western Africa.
Also religion is one thing. National states are a completely different matter. People in Muslim country x or y might want closer ties to other Muslim nations but if say Sudan benefits enormously from communist and atheist China, this will obviously weight more than whatever ties Sudan might have with their neighbor to the West in Chad. So while religion is not the main "drug" that nation states seek, the average person and their preferences, wishes, aspirations and feelings towards people with a similar religion, might weight more but this often only manifests itself in personal relations or whenever private companies have businesses with say fellow Arab companies or Muslim ones. Other than that, not so much. This is obviously not exclusive to Muslims but
all humans. That has
always been the case and likely always will be.
My two quick cents for those bothering to read.
No.
Advantages for Pakistan
- A large source of federal funds for spending
- An extremely powerful and advanced air force
- Some of the best equipment available
- Battle-tested tanks
- A Strong economy
- A strong relationship not only with the U.S but every oil-consuming country on earth.
- An extremely powerful strategic position
- Control over the Persian Gulf
- Control of the Arabian sea
- Control of the Red Sea
- A Massive landmass with a rich heritage and culture that is ripe for tourism
- A Lot of Tourism
- Lot's and Lot's of Oil
- Pakistan could suffocate India's trade
- A huge and advanced Navy
- A very nationalistic and religious population that doesn't interfere in politics
- The heart of Islam Mecca
- A lot of religious tourism
- Lot's and lot's of trade
What does Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia get?
- Troops
- A place to dump more money in.
- A Massive landmass with a rich heritage and culture and geography that is ripe for tourism
- India as an enemy
- Afghanistan as a neighbor
- A very talented and skilled population
- Loss of trade with India
- Deportation of all Indians( Which is a good thing)
This is way more tilted to help Pakistan than any of these Gulf states. Why would Saudi or the UAE accept any of this?
Well put brother. However have in mind that the world is a dynamic place. What appears to be the case today might not be so in 20 years time. Today this project (and I voted no without any second thoughts) might seem far-fetched and maybe outright ridiculous but in the future it might not be. I am not talking about an union here but the topics that I have raised previously. Similar to how it is very much possible for KSA and Iran to have cordial ties again as pre-1979 or for EVEN Palestine-Israel to eventually find a solution or for Pakistan and India to end all hostiles. The world is a crazy place but stranger things have happened. WW2 says hello for instance. That is not long ago. In fact not at all if you look at recorded history.
