Opinion: Middle East Needs Economic Union Over Military Pacts

In a sharp editorial, retired Nigerian civil servant Uddin Ifeanyi argues that the Gulf states' economic modernization—from digital investments to diversifying beyond oil—is undermined by persistent conflicts like the "third Gulf war" between the US/Israel and Iran. He contends military alliances, even with US protection, cannot guarantee security against determined adversaries like Iran. Instead, he proposes an EU-style political-economic union for the Middle East, emphasizing that free movement of goods, people, and capital is essential for growth. Governance and democracy are critical, with Iran serving as a cautionary tale of misrule. The Gulf's role in global oil, helium, and digital economies makes its instability a worldwide risk, including for Nigeria's oil-dependent economy. The core question: can regional integration overcome deep-seated conflicts? For Nigeria, the lesson may be whether economic blocs like ECOWAS require similar democratic safeguards to ensure stability and prosperity.

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/867828-a-fix-for-the-middle-east-by-uddin-ifeanyi.html