"Moral" interests
Reader comment on item: War as Social Work?

Submitted by Ali Lebanon (Lebanon), May 6, 2003 at 10:13

Dear Sir

In a world where nation-states look for their own interests, citizens of the thirld-world, whom the world's super power has applied its "regime change" phenomenon on, can only hope from the new "di facto" rulers to ensure their long-term interests in their countries.

To take the example of Iraq here, the United States can, through building a democratic political system and a healthy economy, win the support of millions of Iraqis who are happy with the outcome of this war. A new Marshall Plan for Iraq can rebuild the middle class which has been eliminated by the terror regime of Saddam Hussein.

This new class can form a new pro-American block in the middle east that can,through the huge oil reserves in their country, lower the oil price and provide Washington with "economic advantages" in its oil fields.

I have witnessed in Jordan the emergance of a similiar middle class, but on a smaller scale. The limited economic growth that followed the "wadi araba" agreement built a relatively small westernized social group who has "moderate views" regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and relations with the United States.

Finally I conclude that Washington should realize that supporting dictatorships in the region will only serve its interests in the short-run, while creating problems later. The only beneficiary would be the Arab dictators who will get richer and leave their populations in deep poverty while enjoying "international support".

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