The Arab World Must Participate in Global Affairs and Not Follow

The first conference hosted by the Arab Thought Institute, a new pan-Arab organization founded by a Saudi prince, emphasized both greater intra-regional communication and increased Arab participation in international arenas. Despite the departure of European colonial powers, the West is seen by many Arabs as a constant oppressor of national freedoms. Noting that while some have characterized relations with the West as a clash between two civilizations, conference leaders called upon Arabs to avoid pointing fingers and instead first work towards cultural unification and regional integration. - YaleGlobal