A peace weapon for the brothers in the Gulf

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The military salute that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi addressed to the brothers in the Gulf was not just a protocol gesture at the graduation ceremony of new batches from the Egyptian Military Academy. Rather, it carried a political and humanitarian message that goes beyond the limits of the occasion, and calls for an Arab memory that should not be obscured by political differences or the noise of social networking sites.

The president recalled a defining moment in modern Egyptian history, when, following the events of 2011, the country faced a severe economic crisis, during which reserves declined, the economy contracted, and fuel and energy crises intensified. In the wake of the revolution of June 30, 2013, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Kuwait stood by Egypt and provided broad support, including oil, gas, butane, and wheat, at a time when the state’s needs exceeded its available capabilities.

President Sisi did not talk about this support as a fact from the past, but rather as a debt of loyalty that is not subject to statute of limitations. He clearly said that Egypt cannot forget what the brothers provided, and that the Egyptian state might not have been able to overcome its ordeal without that support. He asked for a military salute to the sisterly Gulf countries, in a scene that summarized the meaning of gratitude, and stressed that relations between countries are not measured only by calculations of immediate interests, but also by positions of severity that reveal the truth of the ties between peoples.

But fulfillment is not complete by recovering memory alone; Arab relations are a long history of mutual giving, and not a record of creditor and debtor. Egypt, through various stages of its modern history, stood alongside its brothers and made sacrifices for their causes and security, and the Egyptian army was present in defending Arab security, from the battles of Palestine to the October War of 1973. Egypt also contributed to supporting the independence of Arab countries and building their institutions, and embraced their issues in international forums. On the other hand, sister Arab countries did not abandon Egypt in moments when they needed support.

This is the nature of the relationship that should govern the present and future of the Arabs: mutual solidarity, without benevolence or narrow calculations, and an awareness that the weakness of any Arab country is reflected in the rest of its surroundings, and that Gulf security is not a Gulf issue separate from Egypt’s national security.

This message gains double importance in light of the military escalation the region is witnessing against the backdrop of the American-Israeli war against Iran, and the accompanying threats to the security of Arab countries and trade and energy corridors. The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia add a new danger to a very turbulent regional scene, especially in light of the Houthis’ connection to Iran and their role in expanding the scope of the confrontation. It is not permissible for Arab civilians to become targets in a conflict that they do not have the power to decide to start, nor for fraternal lands to be turned into arenas for settling regional scores.

The president’s position was clear: Egypt will not stand idly by in the face of harming Saudi Arabia’s security, and it is prepared to take the necessary measures requested by the Kingdom to defend its security and sovereignty, leading up to his call on the House of Representatives to hold an emergency session for authorization if an Egyptian move of this kind is requested. It is a message that goes beyond verbal solidarity to a declaration of readiness to bear responsibility, with any practical action remaining linked to the Kingdom’s request and the necessary constitutional procedures.

In conclusion, President Sisi must be greeted, respected and appreciated for what he announced regarding his new national political project, most importantly: “the issue of the future of governance in Egypt,” after he settled a controversy that escalated following his speeches at the educational symposium “Homeland of Heroes” and the Police Academy ceremony, stressing that the year 2030 will be the end of his presidency, and that the matter is settled, renewing his pledge not to touch the constitution. The President added that he is not preparing a specific person to succeed him, and that Egypt is a large country that is not suitable for succession, pointing to the role of the Military Academy in preparing cadres capable of assuming the responsibilities of leading the state.

Thus, two inseparable messages came together in one word: Arab loyalty that calls for returning the favor to the brothers in the Gulf, and a political pledge that puts an end to the controversy over the president’s continued rule after 2030. Between the two messages, a truth emerges that the region needs to restore: the security of the Arabs is a shared responsibility, and loyalty in times of adversity is not a slogan, but rather an attitude that is translated into actions.

A peace of arms for the brothers in the Gulf... an unforgettable greeting of loyalty from Egypt, and a message of solidarity at a moment when it is unbearable for the Arabs to face dangers divided.