A Middle East Trade Bloc
A Middle East Trade Bloc

Imagine a strong Middle East Economic Trade Bloc which includes not only the Arab states but also Israel.  The remnants of the colonial powers with their paid dictators are now almost history. Amongst the chaos and near-anarchy we can now identify a vacuum that can be filled to the benefit of all people in the Middle East.

There may be a groundswell of feeling from the original Middle-East traders that the answer is not through death and violence but by a sincere wish to live in peace through work, trade and commerce.   Countries in this region need not remain downtrodden. They can be a world force as they once were.

The educated youth of these countries have been absolutely correct in asking questions that involve corruption, foreign interference, currency imbalances, the value of their labour, raw materials and the lack of good jobs.   Until now ruling class refused to share the wealth. They have chosen the path of military conflict causing death, injuries, misery, lack of productivity and a failure to concentrate upon good government for the people. But the people have now spoken, cutting the head off the snake in country after country.

The question is:  What next?   If only the incoming leadership could see the benefits of a widespread economic peace and a formal alliance for the entire region.

Interference by post-colonial countries has been in their own interests. The United States narrative speaks of Muslim extremism, distant countries work to supply weapons of death, columnists focus upon war and conflict whilst a whole generation have been brainwashed to label Israel as the root cause for everything. The blame game was designed to divert the attention of the man in the street from corrupt management and compromised legal systems as leadership sucked billions out of their economies.

In Eygpt, where the average wage is only two dollars a day, dire poverty is the rule rather than the exception. Billions of dollars of military equipment designated as “Aid” has only resulted in the inability of people to feed their own families.  This is contrary to every single concept of charity, assistance and caring for one’s fellow man.  Indeed, it is now seen for what it really was:  an extension of other country’s policies abroad caring for their own interests. 

Arab peoples may now beginto realize that funding by foreign countries for anti-Israel activities has imperialist motives which carry a price.  Reflecting upon a future strong Middle-East Trade Bloc, the truth is that it could be to the detriment of Europe, the United States and most other countries, upsetting the existing balance as OPEC has done in the past. A weak Middle East has been in the interests of the major powers, which fight amongst themselves to fund divisions between the Arab world and Israel and control the population through dictators. 

As the Russian people were able to see the truth with the advent of mass communications, the progenitors of change in Arab countries can now find out the truth as they seek alternatives.  Once they take off their dark glasses they will see that Israel is a stable democracy and economic power with the ability and the will to join them in a beneficial relationship. This can be the next step.

Both peoples are cousins and both have lived in peace in the region as their grandparents will tell them before the imperialist invasion split up the area.   Both believe in one G-d.  Many Israelis speak Arabic which is taught in most Israeli schools and there is already substantial trade and commercial relations between Israel and many Arab countries despite a well-publicized embargo.  Partnerships between countries could use technology, raw materials, management skills and their unique strategically placed position on the world’s trade routes to lift whole populations out of desperate poverty whilst their market participation increases. All of this fits in well with the aspirations of the protestors wanting a socially-just society in keeping with their Islamic faith. 

The compatibility is there, if only foreign powers would keep out.  Thanks to the transparency and organizational capabilities of the internet times are a-changing.   The revolutions have showed that almost anything is possible. The voice of common sense has been heard, resulting in the old guard crumbling.  With internet users forming over 20% of the population in Egypt and over 30% in Tunisia transparency is at an all-time high.  The uneducated masses that were manipulated and used as cannon fodder by dictators are hopefully a thing of the past. This is the information age where the truth is now available to the ordinary man who has a median age of 24 in Egypt and 30 in Tunisia.   

Constitutional changes will be needed to ensuring personal freedoms and freedom of the press, whilst huge question marks will remain even after democratic elections are held. Both the uneducated and the unemployed will be voting for the Islamists whose direction has not been made public. The future role of the military and the security forces in each country are still unknown. Changing the integrity of the judicial system and the bureaucracy can be difficult and will take time.  

Despite all, a powerful Middle East Trade Bloc can be the major enabling factor which will allow the region’s citizens to share in the world’s wealth allowing all to live in peace rather than to die in war.