* "Oldest" can be interpreted in different ways: Do we mean the oldest continuous civilization? The oldest independent nation-state? The country with the oldest archaeological evidence of human presence?
* National boundaries are fluid: Modern borders have changed drastically throughout history, making it difficult to pin down which territory was "Arabic" at a specific point in time.
However, some strong contenders for the title of "oldest Arabic country" include:
* Yemen: The ancient South Arabian kingdoms of Saba, Hadramawt, and Himyar flourished in the region for centuries before the rise of Islam. They had a distinct culture, language, and political structure that pre-dates modern borders.
* Oman: Oman, like Yemen, has a long history of powerful ancient civilizations like the Dhofar civilization and the Himyarite kingdom.
* Iraq: While its modern borders are relatively recent, the region of Mesopotamia boasts some of the oldest known civilizations in the world, including the Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian empires.
Ultimately, the answer depends on how you define "oldest" and "Arabic." Each country has its own rich history and cultural contributions to the Arabic world.