Jordan, Egypt and Iraq unite
Amid shifting geopolitical sands, three Arab countries are reacting by closing ranks and seeking to coordinate their positions. Jordan, Egypt and Iraq have underscored the importance of jointly facing common political and economic challenges at a time when the region is going through major upheavals.
King Abdullah hosted a one-day trilateral summit in Amman on Aug. 25, the third of its kind in less than 18 months. It was attended by Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. In a joint communique, the three leaders stressed the need to translate the strong strategic ties between their countries into cooperation in vital sectors.
In his opening statement, King Abdullah said the meeting was very important “in light of the current extraordinary conditions in the region and the world.” He also stressed the importance of close coordination and joint action to deal with rapid developments in the region and foreign meddling attempts. The king went on to say that the Palestinian cause remains the core issue in the region and that Jordan continues to call for a two-state solution.
Al-Kadhimi stressed Iraq’s support for the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people’s right to statehood. El-Sisi was quoted as saying that he agreed with the king on the Palestinian cause and the importance of reaching a solution based on two states, noting that this would have a positive impact on the entire region.
The king’s reference to foreign meddling indicated concerns by the three leaders over Turkish and Iranian interventions in the region, which is witnessing a number of conflicts. For Iraq, Turkish incursions in Iraqi Kurdistan
— in violation of previous understandings between Ankara and Baghdad — have strained ties and put pressure on Al-Kadhimi to respond. More critically, the prime minister, who had concluded a crucial visit to Washington a week before, is facing challenges in undercutting Tehran’s political and military influence in Iraq.
Egypt, on the other hand, perceives Turkey’s support of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya as a threat to its national security. In addition, El-Sisi is worried about Turkey’s attempts to encroach on territorial waters in the Eastern Mediterranean. Adding to Cairo’s worries is the failure to reach an agreement with Ethiopia over the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Economic integration between Iraq, Egypt and Jordan is vital and possible considering the enormous resources that the three countries have. The three countries are close US allies, but politically their priorities could differ. For the time being, the alliance is seen as a natural response to a new era where the collapse of the Arab order has left a crucial vacuum. None of the three countries are in a position to lead amid mounting domestic political, economic and health challenges. But, as these challenges stack up, unity becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.