Can the Arab League Effectively Confront ISIS?

Al Jazeera reports that Arab League officials have pledged to use their power to combat ISIS. That’s a hard claim to swallow when some of its members are funding ISIS.

“What is needed is a clear decision for a comprehensive confrontation, militarily and politically,” Arab League chief Nabil el-Araby said on Sunday.

The Arab League also endorsed a UN Security Council resolution passed last month calling on member states to “act to suppress the flow of foreign fighters, financing and other support to Islamist extremist groups in Iraq and Syria”.

El-Araby criticised infighting between Arab states which he said had led to inaction by the 22-member League.

“While some Arab states object to allowing the Arab League to intervene in their internal crises, the floodgates are opened to foreign intervention, including militarily,” he said.

El-Araby also called for the activation of an Arab defence treaty to allow for military action when needed, as he suggested that military action could take place under the umbrella of an Arab League joint defence pact.

Several foreign ministers spoke of the gravity of the challenge posed by the Islamic State in Iraq as well as the violence
that has engulfed Libya and other regions.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also stated his concern on the matter by saying the local and regional terrorism threat the Arab and Islamic nation is facing should be on the table.