As Baghdad prepares to host the Arab League summit on May 17, Prime Minister Sudani faces mounting pressure to deliver a tangible initiative or breakthrough that can anchor the summit and prevent it from being overshadowed—by both the intensifying maritime dispute with Kuwait and the upcoming visit to the Gulf by President Trump. With regional dynamics in flux and public attention fragmented, the Baghdad summit risks being reduced to a symbolic gathering unless Iraq introduces something of substance.
The regional backdrop remains volatile despite Iran’s receding influence and the effective dismantling of the Axis of Resistance. Meanwhile, Arab economies are facing renewed uncertainty amid falling oil prices. In this context, Sudani is positioning Iraq not just as host but as the convener of a new pan-Arab moment. In an article published today in the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat, titled “Baghdad Summit: Toward a New Arab Approach”, he calls for a revived Arab unity rooted in mutual respect, non-interference, and strategic economic integration. While the tone is lofty, the message is notably thin on concrete deliverables—raising the stakes for what Iraq can present on May 17.