Will's comment to the previous post entitled "Stemming Extremism: An Economic Solution" pointed out that a Marshall Plan for the Middle East would be difficult to achieve in light of government corruption. Moreover, he stated that countries such as Saudi Arabia have vast wealth that is hoarded by a few elites, utilized to finance personalized Boeing jets, yet unavailable for the development of the economy and the creation of jobs for the hoi polloi.
Like anything else, big plans must start small and branch out. The best place to start with a serious Marshall Plan that would also bolster US standing in the Middle East, would be the West Bank. Years of negotiations have failed to produce a Palestinian state and it is thus time to flip the Rubik's Cube over and try to solve the I/P conflict in a different way. Solving the I/P conflict would do wonders for US/Arab relations in the Middle East, removing an oft-repeated reason for Western hatred and demonstrating that peace is possible between Jews and Muslims.
Vast economic aid to the Palestinians aimed at building a veritable infrastructure in the West Bank would do wonders for the Palestinians. Vast building projects would keep people occupied for years and provide much needed jobs and cash as Palestinians create great cities in the West Bank, similar to Jerusalem. While such a program should be concomitantly pursued in Gaza, Hamas' takeover of the area may obviate such a possibility for the foreseeable future; however, with serious economic growth in the West Bank, Palestinians in Gaza may force Hamas to alter its views and pursue a model similar to the West Bank, or overthrow the government and call for the reinstatement of Fatah.
The type of Marshall Plan I am proposing is outside of traditional theoretical paradigms of how to deal with the I/P conflict. Traditional thinking has said that we must negotiate a solution to the I/P conflict and then work to build an economically viable Palestinian state, thus perpetuating the conflict as repeated failed negotiations have led to despair and poor economic conditions, providing new recruits to extremist organizations. Why not simply assume that today is the day after a solution and the Palestinians must frenetically commence to build up their infrastructure? And once a viable economy is established, Palestinian leaders will have the support of their people to make compromises for peace that will, hopefully, pave the way for full economic cooperation among the Arab States and Israel. One of the biggest obstacles to peace has been the lack of strong Palestinian leaders like Anwar Sadat who had the courage to make peace with Menachem Begin at Camp David.
If successful, such an economic rejuvenation model can be transplanted to other regions of the Middle East, where poor economic conditions have created varying pathologies, among which is the willingness of youth to join extremist groups such as Al Qaeda.
Dealing with Saudi Arabia and her people is a very complex issue; however, I do believe once a Marshall Plan paradigm is created in the West Bank, the Saudi royal family will have to react positively, especially if Saudi Arabians demand the same for their country. The Saudi royal family may also jump on board if a vast economic plan for the Middle East means that the country on a whole will benefit dramatically, providing the mullahs with additional, heretofore unforeseen cash possibilities.
From a historical point of view, it is interesting to re-examine the Muslim Golden Age where Muslims made vast contributions to the betterment of mankind and were an integral part of a Mediterranean/European trade nexus. The point to think about is how can we bring back those days of old. What can be done to jump start a true renaissance in the Middle East? The key, I believe, is a Marshall Plan that starts with the West Bank.
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