A Marshall Plan for the Middle East and North Africa

US Secretary of State and former General George Marshall gave a speech at Harvard University on 5 June 1947. In it, he outlined what would become the Marshall Plan to rescue Europe from the ruins of World War II.

Marshall said at Harvard :

“It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health to the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.”

That, in brief, is the Marshall Plan that gave new life to Europe between 1947 and 1951, when its major work was completed. It could be transposed to the Arab World today without changing one word.

The Middle East and North Africa desperately need a 21^st century Marshall Plan. Should it be called the Obama Plan, why not?

There is no other way out of the genuine chaos now reigning in the region. The major difference between the 1947 Marshall Plan and the 2011 “Marshall Plan” ought to be that the United States would not have to shoulder the entire burden and cost. Saudi Arabia is certainly financially able to help, as is Israel, if its help were accepted.

America could render no greater service to the impoverished, unemployed and uneducated youth of the Arab World than to help them lift themselves into economic and social stability.

It took big vision and heart for the United States to spend billions of dollars to save Europe from itself. No less will be required to save the Arab world.

But, the reward would be a region based on education, social equality and economic partnership that would change dramatically, and for the better, the world we live in.