A Prologue
For all its ethnic diversity, the region, to which many refer alternatively as the Middle East, the Greater Middle East, and the Muslim World, among other inaccurate appellations, and to which we shall refer here as the Tharwa Commonwealth (an entity still in search of itself), has many common intrinsic problems that could lead most of its states to the brink of social and political disintegration and implosion at one point or another in the not-so-distant future, an event that will have serious reverberations and repercussions throughout the world.
The problems include:
A demographic explosion that strains the resources of most states.
Failing economies in many states, as a result of a variety of factors, including depletion of existing resources, corruption and mismanagement.
Environmental problems resulting from climate change, drought, overgrazing, shrinking potable water resources, and, in some cases, industrial pollution, among other factors.
Brain drain, as many of the brightest minds opt to migrate to the West, the Far East, or, at least, to the more prosperous states in the region.
Imploding and inadequate educational systems as a result of the demographic explosion and continuing neglect.
Failing state and social services leading to the augmentation of the problems of poverty and inter-communal tension, and the entrenchment and strengthening of communal identities.
Stunted civil societies, which are unable to compensate for governmental neglect, mismanagement, corruption and other shortcomings.
Lack of foresight and planning on part of existing regimes.
Lack of R&D investments.
Rising religious radicalism, a phenomenon often associated with Islam, albeit it is not exclusive to it by any means, and which, in itself, is both a product and a cause of instability in the region and around the world, and lies at the heart of international terrorism.
Continuing external dabbling in the region that often fails to take the interest and intellectual input of its peoples into consideration, or that assumes a messianic character that serves to further alienate and radicalize the peoples of the region.
The impact of existing conflicts and hotspots, including those in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Darfur, Somalia, Lebanon, South Philippines, South Thailand, etc., combined with the lack of effective peacemaking mechanisms in the region and the often lethargic and reluctant response of the international community, that remains motivated by a narrow focus on its immediate interests.