Lol, <3. I just didn't want to discuss (others may say fight) in public. He basically sent me a message telling me how he want's an Arab-EU where minorities are respected and not oppressed. I sent him this.

I see your point and I see merit in the proposal, but I also think the culture between the Maghreb and the Mashreq are way too different to form a union. I do agree we should cooperate better, but as long as the Arab Sphere of Influence is a patchwork of different systems, we can't do it.

The problem with the EU model is that it doesn't work when cultures differ too wildly. You see the Western European countries trying to get out and the eastern ones clinging on for dear life. A Nordic Union, Slavic Union, Mediterranean Union would work 100x better. A pan-Arab union will just give power to Egypt, and the other large countries. We won't have our voice heard. That's why Bourguiba opposed it. Just like Germany basically runs the EU.

Our country seemed to have dodged a bullet. I think we should be Switzerland. Work closer with both Europe and the Arabs as we share many issues, but not legally bind ourselves to them.

I don't like referring to myself as Arab because I know the "Arab Arabs" don't see us as equals. I have become friends with many Arabs from the middle east, and I and my other Maghrebi friends are always told we're outsiders. I am very willing to support a strong Maghrebi union. 110 million people is enough to be powerful. Pan-Arab on the other hand, I think there are more disadvantages than advantages.

We can be the bridge between the two worlds. Europe and the United States have really been supporting us. They love us.

Thoughts?

So in short: Tunisian first, Maghrebi second, not Arab.