Dr. Magdy Kamel ElHawary writes : What If Visas Were Abolished Between Arab Countries… and the Arab World Became One Land with One Army?

In a world rapidly moving toward large-scale alliances, the Arab world remains an exception; a single nation in language and history, yet divided by borders, visas, and conflicting sovereign decisions.

But imagine a different moment…
A moment where borders open, barriers fall, and an Arab citizen can travel from Rabat to Baghdad without permission or passport stamps.

Freedom of Movement… The Spark of Economic Transformation

Abolishing visas would not be a mere administrative step, but a fundamental shift in the structure of the Arab economy.
An open labor market would mean a real redistribution of opportunities, where talent moves freely to where it is needed, and investments flow without bureaucratic restrictions.

Arab tourism would witness an unprecedented boom, major capitals would turn into regional hubs, and overlooked cities would revive through the movement of people and capital.

A Unified Arab Market… Untapped Power

The Arab world possesses all the elements needed to become one of the largest economic blocs globally:
vast natural resources, a strategic geographic location connecting continents, and a large, youthful population.

Yet this power has remained constrained by fragmentation, conflicting policies, and the absence of a shared vision.
If unified, such a market could emerge as a major force in global trade dynamics.

One Arab Army… A Deterrent Force or a Sovereignty Dilemma?

The idea of a unified Arab army is the most sensitive and complex.
In theory, it would create a massive military force capable of protecting collective security and reducing reliance on foreign powers.

In practice, however, it raises difficult questions:
Who leads?
Who decides war and peace?
How are internal conflicts managed if they arise?

Global experiences suggest that military coordination is possible, but full integration remains a significant challenge, especially with differing doctrines and policies.

The Real Obstacle… Politics, Not People

Arab societies are far closer to each other than maps suggest.
The real barrier lies within political systems, differing priorities, overlapping alliances, and long-standing unresolved conflicts.

Previous attempts at Arab cooperation have remained limited, as they did not move beyond symbolic coordination into genuine integration.

Between Dream and Reality

Abolishing visas could be the logical first step… breaking psychological barriers before geographic ones.
As for the idea of one land and one army, it requires an unprecedented political will and a vision that goes beyond narrow calculations.

In the end, unity is not a sudden decision… it is a long path.
The real question remains:
Do Arabs have the courage to move from imagination to action?