The Pen Just Might Be Mightier
Thom Friedman on the possible futures of Saudi Arabia. The parallels are intersting in both cases (though seem more like the Soviet model than the China model) but I tend to doubt that Saudi Arabia's future will look particularly like either China or the Soviet Union. One major reason is that the western world has a desire (justified or not) to see the country stay afloat. A total collapse is not in the interest of the western powers and they will act accordingly to keep it afloat. Nothing and I do mean nothing will be allowed to stop oil (regardless of how replaceable the supply is) from flowing out of that desert.

Can you imagine the accolades Friedman will receive if Israel and the Arab world really do sort out their differences. Already he's written the most important international story of the year (his Op-ed on the Saudi proposal for peace) and that one missive could have greater lasting effects in the world than any press report that I can recall. I think he deserves a Pulitzer for the piece, but I don't think it will lead anywhere. I am supremely confident that Arafat will once again skuttle any deal no matter how logical it is.
- posted by levinson @ 2/27/2002 07:44:00 AM