I am currently working on a timeline in which the United Arab Republic continues to exist, and is able to successfully unite the Arab World into a single federation. I have gone threw this website, and it seems like the general consensus is that the UAR and pan-Arabism were failed from the start, but I don't necessarily think so. Yes, there were problems, but who's to say that there weren't problems with other unification attempts? Had Austria won the Austro-Prussian War, we could very well have seen a completely united German state. Even the United States had it's fair chance to have fallen apart before it even got started. Please don't comment on those two comparisons, I only put them in here to make a point. I believe that had several events taken place, than it could be possible that the UAR could exist. I have nothing against constructive criticism, but please no out right "ASB" or "Not Going To Happen" comments here, please.
The POD I have been working on takes place shortly after the Syrian coup in 1961. Rather than rejecting negotiations, UAR President Gamal Nasser would come to the conclusion that there would be more pros than cons in negotiating with Syria. These negotiations would eventually become into a constitutional convention, establishing a finalized constitutions for the UAR (since the 1958 constitution was only a temporary one). What would come out of this is a clearer definition of what the UAR is. Among the changes would include:
- Defining the UAR as a federation of two sovereign Arab states (more or less like defining the US states).
- The legislature is reformed to allow equality (making Syria happy).
- The single-party rule is abolished (making Ba'athists happy).
- The UAR recognizes a secular form of government (which was already true prior to the POD).
- The office of the presidency is limited to a two-term minimum. As well, checks and balances would be implemented by the three branches.
Shortly after this new constitution is rectified by Egypt and Syria, Iraq and [North] Yemen finally apply for membership. By the end of the 1960s, Jordan and Aden (OTL South Yemen) are admitted.
I am going to stop here for now, and lets see if this is possible on its own. The next part will include a very different Six-Day War. Like I mentioned above, please no hate comments on the idea. Thank you.