panArab

PanArab, often written pan-Arab or pan-Arabism, is a political and cultural ideology that advocates the unity of Arab peoples and states across the Arab world. It seeks political solidarity, economic cooperation, and cultural cohesion among Arab-majority countries, emphasizing shared language and history while accommodating internal differences. The term is used in scholarly and political discourse to describe a spectrum from secular nationalism to movements that view regional unity as a strategic aim.

Origins and development: The idea emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries amid anti-colonial and nationalist currents opposing Ottoman and European rule. Intellectuals such as Sati' al-Husri and Michel Aflaq articulated a pan-Arab vision, which was later popularized by Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s and 1960s. The Arab League, established in 1945, served as an institutional framework for Arab cooperation, and the brief United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria, 1958–1961) embodied a concrete attempt at political union.

Variations and decline: Pan-Arabism has been linked to Ba'athist movements in Syria and Iraq and has waxed and waned with regional fortunes. The 1967 Arab–Israeli War dealt a severe blow to the project of broad Arab unity, contributing to its decline as a governing program. Critics argued it downplayed subnational identities and political pluralism.

Legacy and modern relevance: Today pan-Arab ideas persist mainly in rhetoric, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Some states maintain rhetorical commitments to Arab unity, but practical political union is limited, reflecting the region's diverse identities, interests, and security concerns.