By all accounts, peace and prosperity in the Middle East should be a welcome development. Fewer conflicts, stronger economies, and improved regional cooperation — it’s the kind of outcome that should have policymakers in Brussels and Berlin cheering. Yet, when we look closer, there’s an uncomfortable truth hiding beneath the surface: many of Europe’s actions suggest it isn’t rooting for that outcome at all.
The question must be asked — why is Europe afraid of a peaceful and prosperous Middle East?
1. Strategic Interests and Diminished Influence
For decades, instability in the Middle East has served as a convenient pretext for European involvement — diplomatically, militarily, and economically. With conflict and crisis as the backdrop, Europe positions itself as a “mediator,” a “peace broker,” and a “guardian of international norms.” But a Middle East that manages its own affairs — one where nations pursue direct normalization, trade deals, and regional alliances — sidelines those roles. If Israel and Arab nations can make peace without European supervision, Europe loses leverage. And that loss is deeply uncomfortable for a continent that still sees itself as a global arbiter.
2. Economic Threat of a Thriving Region
A stable and economically integrated Middle East, especially one that unites Israel and the Gulf states, poses serious economic competition. These countries are emerging as leaders in energy innovation, logistics, cybersecurity, and advanced technology. Such a bloc could challenge Southern Europe’s economic relevance and siphon off global investment and influence. Europe's economic anxiety, masked behind diplomatic caution, is part of the reason they hesitate to fully support regional breakthroughs.