The Iraqi-Egyptian Rivalry for Arab Leadership1932-1958

Abstract

twentieth century, the Arab world witnessed the emergence of Arab countries and drawing their borders and political systems, which began to draw their entity at various levels, and with this formation, competition began with the oldest civilizations, namely the civilization and Mesopotamia, which were represented by Iraq and the Nile civilization, which was represented by Egypt, hence that competition began on the Arab political arena after the entry of Iraq as a member of the League of Nations, as well as when the university established an Arab and this competition witnessed a major transformation by dealing with the Arab issues that emerged after 1945, especially the Palestinian issue, or through supporting the Arab liberation movements or by working to find a formula for unity and let it be This competition has increased in an influential form during the last stages of the fiftieth and affects in one way or another Arab relations or relations between Iraq and Egypt.

From the outset, Iraq—drawing upon its historical depth, wealth, and political legacy—sought to advance projects aimed at Arab unification and integration, such as the "Fertile Crescent" and "Greater Syria" initiatives, rooted in its leaders' firm belief in the unity of the Arab nation. This was countered by an Egyptian vision that leveraged the country’s large population, strategic location, and cultural influence as instruments in its political rivalry with Iraq. This divergence was clearly reflected in the two nations' stances on major Arab issues—most notably the Palestinian cause, support for liberation movements, and various unification projects—where a competitive dynamic prevailed over coordination and integration. Consequently, the effectiveness of the Arab position was diminished, frequently leaving it unable to achieve tangible results.