It exists already and it is called the GCC, it is like some confederation of states..it is the best form that could be found due to the many existing royalties.. and it is working quite good..
Are you sure? Where is Yemen? The 50th largest country in the world with a population exceeding 30 million. One of the oldest nation states in the world and a country home to some of the oldest civilizations in the world. A key country in Arabia historically and on most other fronts.
Did you know that Yemen is expected to become one of the most populous countries in the MENA region not far from now (2-3 generations)? In the top 30 worldwide. How can we ignore such a country?
Likewise where is Jordan which is geographically a part of the Arabian Peninsula as well as most of Iraq, in particular Southern Iraq? Or even parts of Southern Sham (modern-day Syria, Palestine and occupied lands of Palestine).
The GCC might be a close-knitted unit compared to most other regional political and economic unions not located in the West, however much more could be done in order to make the countries of the GCC even closer with each other. Economically, politically and militarily. Or something relatively simple such as a shared currency and better business regulations.
There is also the question, which has been raised in this thread, of the system of governance and other challenges.
However the most likely region to unite into a federal state, arguably in the entire world, is the Arabian Peninsula if you ask me. Which, if it was 1 country/federal state, would be the 7th biggest, one of the most populous and with one of the biggest economies so it would be no small feat. However the potential of such an union outweighs the eventual negatives. At least if you ask me. However I would likely think differently if I was, say, the Emir of Qatar.
If the states of Arabian peninsula did 'unite', they have a much better chance of succeeding than EU. However, the elephant in the room is system of governance and the distribution of power. "Elections" are not a silver bullet. Going by "elections" doctrine, Arabian peninsula becomes "tyranny of the majority". I'm looking at you Saudi guy.
Eloquently put. Short and precise.
Yes, the system of governance and the distribution of power is definitely a key question and a future challenge. Actually the fear of Saudi Arabian dominance is a legitimate one and something that at times is even a challenge today. However in my ideal federal state, based on a constitution that all (or at least most) inhabitants have voiced their agreement for, that should not be an issue. It might be an constitutional monarchic federal state or a republican federation. That would be up to the people.
Of course in a federal state, which I believe is the most realistic outcome, each federal state, would have significant self-rule. Think about the US for instance. Or even the UK.
Also in a perfect world the entire Arab world, from Morocco in the West near the Atlantic Ocean to Oman in the East near the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean would become one federal state. It would, if ruled correctly, give many more benefits for the people and countries than the opposite. I believe in unity rather than fragmentation. I for instance see no reason why the Slavic countries in the Balkans could not unite again into a federal state. Would probably give them more benefits than currently. Make them stronger and give them a bigger say in the region. Today, what can a small Macedonia, Bosnia or Slovenia accomplish alone? Nothing. When Yugoslavia existed they had a much bigger clout. Same story with Scandinavia that I know well personally. I mean if Denmark, Sweden and Norway became an federal state. It would give them a much bigger say and not much would change for the negative.
Anyway most people are too dumb for such projects to take place anywhere in the world currently. We need to reach a higher level of intelligence and sophistication as a species. Even the EU is falling apart. Who would have thought so, so shortly (relatively) after the horrors of WW1 and WW2 that killed almost 100 million people and devastated much of Europe? Not many, I guess. What are our conflicts in the MENA compared to that? Really not much. Let alone in the Peninsula where there are no conflicts expect for Yemen.
Anyway eventually the people of the region will decide their own future, sooner rather than later. As everywhere else eventually. For good and bad.
From this:
to eventually reaching this, Insha'Allah.
15 million views!
There will only be one real USA. The United Arab States. USA, USA, USA.