It is so ironic that we are trying to rebuild Iraq when we were the ones who destoryed Iraq. We have killed many civilians in Iraq-this won't build lastiing peace. We have destroyed that country. In ten years, I see Iraq the same or worse. I see the rich getting richer...

ungrateful for what?

A very rational post. I think one of the difficulties in implementing an sustainable economy is the willingness of individuals to sacrifice themselves so that others may suffer.

The poster above, Ray Arjomand must be really in another world. The fact is that USA and other wealthy countries never wanted, and still do not want, the people of this region (or other regions) to prosper or close the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Wake up, Sir! The Americans are spending about 1 billion Dollars a week on Iraq but that is almost all given to American companies and the net result of that spending is actually negative for Iraqis as their homes and roads get destroyed, families are forced to abandon the country and go into even poorer countries such as Jordan and Syria, and lose their jobs, etc. etc.

Your plan does not work for the present actors on the stage. If they were only half as sensible, they would have not attacked Iraq on a whim.

A Better, Less Bloody Solution for Iraq & Middle East

Extreme poverty (financial insecurity) breeds physical violence, insecurity, hopelessness and terrorism. The US & Iraqi governments should distribute "Free Cash" into Iraq's slums (for example every citizen gets $20/Week). The money will stimulate the local economy, create jobs, reduce poverty and will create financial stability and security.

$20/Week x 20 Million people = $400 Million Dollars per week. This is a lot of money and for maximum efficiency it should go directly to the impoverished masses (not through corrupt third parties, institutions and government bureaucrats). Simple offices equipped with computers are setup in each ghetto. An officer creates a unique photo ID card with a serial number for each person to keep track of disbursements and to insure that no one gets paid more than once per week.

To reduce dependence, the amount of cash can be gradually reduced as the local economy improves and standard of living rises. In addition "Oil Money" can be substituted for the cash as the oil revenue is increased and becomes available. Rich neighboring nations can also contribute to this fund. The "Money" creates "Good Will" and wins the heart and mind of the impoverished masses. The US & Iraqi soldiers will be seen as "Liberators and Heroes" (not as imperialist, colonialist occupiers). This makes their job easier and less dangerous.

Money should be paid directly to the poor masses in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and other poor ghettos to win the heart and mind of the impoverished masses and raise their standard of living. This will replace the deep hatred for US and Israel with love, respect and admiration. In the long run it is far less bloody and cheaper way of fighting and winning global war on terrorism. It is a "Win-Win" Solution for all of Middle East and beyond. As the old saying goes, "Money talks, BS walks". Bush should put his money where his mouth is. In the long run this policy is "Penny Foolish but Dollar Wise" because it lifts the impoverished masses up and gives them hope for a better brighter future.

Ray Arjomand
212-876-5787

Send cheney and his kids plus bush and his kids to iraq for two tours just like my kid

This kind of long-term vision is hard to find. The irony is that Western leaders seem to have lost their vision for long-term and strategy as they are stuck on tactics and short-term gains. On the other hand, the region and especially Iranians, always have the long-term in their sights.

Send Cheney to Sunni parts of Baghdad for a quail hunt and that ought to put things right!

See the article below which affirms the writer's point

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/business/17leonhardt.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Economic development is the most important point. Iraq is a broken mess and it is now like Afghanistan before 9-11 and a failed state where every kind of crazy person goes for Hollywood type action. They have lost sight of reality....like USA.

Very clear and a good analysis.

I must agree with the writer about this unemployment element and extremists. The crazy people that look for adventure are those that have nothing to lose. If people have jobs, employment and something meaningful with dignity, they will not go into crazy places and do stupid things.

A brilliant analysis.

This is quite significant and lots of food for thought....it may well be pay back time for Western industrialised countries, and to invest in this part of the world and create jobs, if only to prevent any more violence and another 9-11. They are fighting because they have nothing to lose....

I follow analytic, brilliant and very clever writings of Dr. Ettefagh for months and only I can say is CONGRATULATION!

You said it, Dr. Ettefagh. Iran's regional enemy is NOT the government of Israel, but rather the governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt,Jordan, and Kuwait; all in the neo-cons camp.

This dude has some thing to say.....and no body has questioned the economics of reconstruction or the meaning of it from the U.S. government.

Very clear and very realistic. We all wonder if George Bush is ever more desparate these days.....impeachment perhaps?

This goes back to one main mistake: that oil producing companies are wealthy. They are not. Energy is now a much smaller percentage of total spending by industrialised countries. Therefore, the transfer of capital to oil producers from consumers is very small compared to the entire GDP of industrialsed nations.
And this is why the equation will never balance in favour of Americans and they must inject a lot of cash into Iraq, in form of aid or direct investment to diversify the Iraqi economy. The writer has put his finger on the main problem of this stupid and unnecessary war.

An excellent insight into what is the real problem. This may well throw Mr. George W. Bush back to soul searching and consultations with his old friends..... Messrs. Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels!

"ungrateful volcano"
What a stupid thing to say.
How very imperialistic.