El-Sisi’s rule in Egypt mirrors a dangerous blend of authoritarian megalomania and ill-conceived, grandiose projects—driven more by personal whim than logic—resulting in widespread economic mismanagement, public ridicule, and deepening national crises.

While the Arab world faces numerous crises, Iraq—the summit's host—is grappling with its own internal challenges, prompting criticism over the government's large and, to some, wasteful financial allocations for hosting Arab leaders.

Backed by the U.S. and "Israel," the UAE and Saudi Arabia are spearheading efforts to disarm Hamas, framing their demands as a step toward "stability" and a political resolution to end the Israeli Occupation’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

The convictions of Hana and Menendez could serve as a future “bargaining chip” for Trump, to be used according to U.S. interests in pressing Sisi on matters like normalization with “Israel” or the displacement of Gaza residents.

The mini-Arab summit held in Riyadh on February 21, 2025, sparked controversy in Iraq over its exclusion, especially given its focus on Gaza—an issue of key regional interest to Baghdad.