Davos 2025 and the Reality of Optimism About the Future of the Arab Region
(Translated)
By Ustath Asaad Mansour

The World Economic Forum in Davos was held from January 20 to 24, 2025, under the banner of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” The event saw the participation of numerous heads of state and government, international organizations, CEOs of major corporations, experts from scientific, industrial, research, and business institutions, leaders from prominent universities, labor unions, and non-governmental organizations. This gathering served as a showcase to assert Western leadership.

This forum represents a political conference for the Western capitalist-led global order, addressing various issues, and airing diverse opinions to contain and steer them in a specific direction, thereby perpetuating its order and global leadership.

It was said that “The Middle East remains a region of dynamic change and persistent challenges.” The Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, Mirek Dušek, expressed cautious optimism about the region's future, pointing to the de-escalation witnessed in recent days, including the ceasefire in Gaza, the election of a president in Lebanon, and Syria turning the page on the Bashar al-Assad regime. However, what fuels this optimism is the vitality seen in some of the region's economies, particularly those of the Gulf.

Dušek stated, “Syria is going to be very much on the agenda here. We all know the human cost of the conflict there, and the country is now going through a period of transition. We are hoping to have a representative from Syria. We invited the Syrian Foreign Minister to be here, but we want to understand their plans and really see where they want to take the country. What is the course economically? But also, what is the course socially? How inclusive will the country? What will be the relationships with their neighbors be like?”

Dušek outlined two key areas framing Arab participation in this year's forum: geopolitical and economic. On the political front, the forum will discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the release of the first batch of hostages, and the humanitarian situation. Representatives from the Palestinian side, including the Prime Minister, and from the side of the Jewish entity, including the President, were invited. The Iranian Vice President was also invited to share his views and participate in the dialogue.

The second area involves Saudi Arabia’s participation. Dušek abandoned his caution, painting a brighter picture of the region's future. He said, “You see of course this very important picture of economic vitality in certain economies particularly in the Gulf and I think that is important to recognize this... and when we see the attention internationally or globally looking at the Middle East, I think it is important to have that, we need to be clear about where are the opportunities and where are the challenges. So there is going to be a very, very strong economic agenda in terms of where the Middle East is headed.” He added, “Of course Saudi Arabia’s plans, the UAE’s plans, and Qatar’s plans and really some of the important roles all these economies are playing in global efforts around trade, around development, around, frankly, relaunching growth for the global economy.”

This is a blatant Western intervention in the regional affairs, monitoring developments to ensure the region remains under its control and directing it as desired, harnessing its resources and capabilities for its own benefit, to salvage its crumbling economy with the vast wealth of the region.

Officials from the region rushed to the forum to reassure the West of their subservience and integration into its order.

This is why the forum’s director expressed optimism about the Arab region’s future. It is not because of any revival that has secured the needs of its people. The economies of these lands are generally deteriorating, and living conditions are poor, with high poverty rates in most of them. The West feared that something in Syria might lead to real change, that the Ummah might rise up, overthrow agent regimes, achieve victory for Gaza, and dismantle the Jewish entity, a key Western military base in the region. Since this has not happened so far, it is natural for the forum’s director and the West as a whole to express optimism about their future in the region, as it remains under their control.

As for his reference to Gulf economies, they are essentially a farm for the West. Almost all investments flow into Western coffers. This is why U.S. President Trump announced in his video address to the forum that Saudi Arabia would invest $600 billion in America, with plans to increase this amount to a trillion dollars. Saudi Arabia buys U.S. Treasury bonds, shares in American companies, and even a digital currency launched by Trump. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia complains of a lack of funds, burdening hujjaj, and promoting vice and immorality under the guise of tourism investment! The UAE does the same, investing abroad, especially in Europe, as does Qatar, which spent $220 billion on frivolous sports projects for the 2022 World Cup, filling the pockets of foreign companies.

These countries have not taken serious steps toward an industrial and technological revolution to break free from foreign dependency and Western domination, nor have they distributed these funds to the deserving within the Islamic Ummah who are suffering greatly. They have not pushed to use their own currency in international transactions, abandoning the dollar, which is a key factor in securing American hegemony. Abandoning the dollar would help dismantle this hegemony.

This optimism is for the West, not for the people of the region, as long as the situation remains as it is, shaped by Western desires.

The basic vision for Muslims is to establish global forums and conferences to discuss world affairs from an Islamic perspective, showcasing the greatness of Islam and the validity of its solutions to human problems. Leadership must be in the hands of Muslims, guiding the world with these ideas, rather than coming to the West to appease it, confirm their obedience to the West, adopt its solutions to problems, and share its vision. When Iranian Vice President Javad Zarif was asked if they were aware of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, he responded emotionally, “Iran was not aware of the attack that day. We were planning to hold a meeting with the Americans on October 9 regarding the nuclear deal, but the attack derailed the talks.” Regarding women’s freedom, he said, “You can see women in the streets of Tehran moving without head coverings. The government has decided not to pressure them.” The new Syrian Foreign Minister, Al-Shaibani, was questioned by the cunning former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the forum, saying what would please the West, “Our vision commits to the participation of all Syrians without exception in shaping the future of our country.” However, when Trump took office, he announced he would dismiss 1,000 senior officials who did not share his vision, even though they are capitalists who maintain the capitalist system, but he does not want anyone who disagrees with him even on minor points. In Syria and other Islamic lands, they demand the participation of non-Muslims and their secular agents, and those without the mindset of statesmen comply, not knowing the meaning of governance. They do not tell the West, “What business is it of yours? Leave our lands and do not interfere in our affairs!” Instead, they rush to Davos and similar forums, flattering the West, appeasing it, and seeking its assistance. This is instead of their working to convey the Islamic vision and demonstrate its greatness and the greatness of its solutions.