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.

The Arab summit's Gaza plan ties reconstruction to Hamas’s disarmament, facing U.S.-Israeli rejection and funding uncertainty.

The Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia laid bare the deep divisions and conflicting interests among the participating countries, as evidenced by the lackluster presence of leaders.