Thomas Friedman, Conflict Prevention and Peace in Middle East and Iraq

Thomas Friedman, Dell’s theory of Conflict Prevention and development of peace in the Middle East starting with Iraq

Thomas Friedman in his book “The World is Flat” discusses Dell’s theory of Conflict Prevention. In its essence the theory suggests that countries with mutual economical dependency and benefits through free market economy would not resort to wars if the heat of political or religious confrontation arises. He takes China and Taiwan as two countries that developed mutual economical benefits through Hi Tech western investments in both countries. Everyone knows that the conflict is about the China’s claim of Taiwan and Taiwan’s claim for independence. Dell’s has invested billions of dollars in hi tech manufacturing components in both countries and that has generated mutual economical dependency and subsequently prevented catastrophic wars.

I think the model can be implemented in the Middle East to create the peace we all wants starting with Iraq as the first fledging democracy where western investments can be injected followed by further investment in neighbouring countries to generate mutual economical dependency and benefits.

To some this proposal may seem simplistic but it can happen as it did happen in China and Taiwan.

Muntazer al-Zaidi, shoe throwing and Mr Bush

Muntazer al-Zaidi has chosen to deny the fact that Iraq is much better place than Saddam's times. He vented his anger by throwing his shoes at Mr Bush. His anger is a clear manisfestation of the sense of shame attached to been liberated by foreign forces from a horrible dictatorial and savage grip.

This act is a good representation of tribal people's inability to express their emotions in a form of language or articulate them more effectively or the inability for better emotional expressions, subsequently they resort to throwing shoes, violent acts, hysteric episodes...etc.

As someone from that part of the world, I know how such defecit (the inability of effective emotional expression) hampers and delays our emotional development and subsequently our rational thoughts. It also makes children feeling inferior for all times to come.

The other side of coin is that this event is a great representation of the sense of security Iraqis now feeling when it comes act of defiance that isn't violent.

Finally, I don't think a 15 years sentence should be imposed, this man should be freed as soon as possible or perhaps fined or sentenced to a community services penalty rather than trying to intimidate the rest of Iraqis for protesting in this manner.