COPILOT: Three Bold Actions to Forge Lasting Peace in the Middle East

The Middle East has long been a crucible of conflict, shaped by colonial legacies, religious divisions, territorial disputes, and geopolitical rivalries. Yet amid the rubble of war and the rhetoric of despair, a new horizon is possible—if world leaders summon the courage to act boldly. Peace in the region is not a utopian dream; it is a strategic imperative. To achieve it, we must embrace three transformative actions: enforce a two-state solution, dismantle proxy militias, and launch a regional economic alliance.

Enforce a Two-State Solution with International Guarantees

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the symbolic and strategic heart of Middle East instability. While countless peace plans have been proposed, most have faltered due to lack of enforcement, asymmetric power dynamics, and political sabotage. The time has come for the international community—led by the United States, the European Union, and the Arab League—to enforce a two-state solution with binding guarantees.

This means recognizing a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, with borders based on pre-1967 lines and mutually agreed land swaps. Jerusalem must be shared, with international oversight to protect religious access. The plan should be backed by a multinational peacekeeping force to monitor compliance and prevent flare-ups.

Recent proposals, such as the one endorsed by 17 nations and the Arab League, call for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank, the disarming of Hamas, and the creation of a unified Palestinian government. These steps must be codified into international law, with consequences for violations. Peace will only come when both peoples are granted dignity, security, and sovereignty.

Dismantle Iran-Backed Proxy Militias

No peace can endure while regional powers wage shadow wars through proxy militias. Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, both backed by Iran, perpetuate instability far beyond their borders. These groups undermine fragile governments, provoke Israel, and threaten shipping lanes and civilian populations.

Senator Lindsey Graham recently emphasized that lasting peace requires confronting these militias head-on. The international community must pressure Iran—through sanctions, diplomacy, and regional isolation—to cease funding and arming these groups. Simultaneously, Arab states must take the lead in disbanding militias within their borders, offering amnesty and reintegration programs for fighters willing to lay down arms.

This effort should be part of a broader Middle East Security Alliance, modeled on NATO, where member states commit to mutual defense and counterterrorism cooperation. The Abraham Accords have already laid the groundwork for such collaboration between Israel and Arab nations. Expanding this framework to include counter-militia operations would be a game-changer.

Launch a Middle East Economic Union

Peace is not just the absence of war—it is the presence of opportunity. Economic despair fuels radicalization, while prosperity fosters stability. A bold vision for peace must include the creation of a Middle East Economic Union, akin to the European Union, that links Arab states, Israel, and even Iran if it complies with peace conditions.

This union would promote free trade, infrastructure development, energy cooperation, and youth employment. Imagine a high-speed rail connecting Cairo to Riyadh to Tel Aviv; a regional green energy grid powered by solar farms in the Negev and wind turbines in Oman; a startup incubator network from Beirut to Dubai. These are not fantasies—they are feasible with political will.

The Abraham Accords have already unlocked economic potential between Israel and Gulf states. Expanding this model to include more nations would create interdependence that makes war economically irrational. Peace must be profitable.

Final Thoughts

Peace in the Middle East will not come from incrementalism or platitudes. It demands audacity. Enforcing a two-state solution, dismantling proxy militias, and launching a regional economic union are not just bold—they are necessary. The cost of inaction is measured in lives lost, futures stolen, and generations scarred.

The world must act. The region must rise. And peace must prevail.