The Middle East faces a fundamental dilemma: the transformation of armed groups and revolutionary currents from temporary entities born out of complex circumstances into semi-official institutions within or parallel to the state, while retaining their ideology, symbols, and cross-border loyalties. This phenomenon erodes state sovereignty and shifts legitimacy from law to arms. Examples include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and armed factions in Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) represent the most complete example, with legislative proposals to institutionalize the PMF as a permanent entity with an independent budget and retirement system, raising concerns in Washington about increasing Iranian influence and undermining Iraq’s sovereignty. This dilemma is not solely an American crisis but a regional challenge requiring a unified vision from moderate Arab states emphasizing state monopoly on weapons and decision-making to ensure stability and sovereignty.