The Middle East in a Post Oil-Boom Era?

Navtej Dhillon, director, Middle East Youth Initiative, The Brookings Institution
February 24, 2009
"In a post-oil boom era, Middle Eastern economies need their young workers more than ever before, because it is this section of the population which will work, produce and stimulate domestic demand to ensure economic recovery and regeneration."

With the global financial meltdown and the drop in oil prices from their peak last July, economic growth is slowing in the Middle East. This means the existing challenges of employing a large youthful population are bound to be exacerbated, with real risks of heightening economic discontent. …

Arab leaders are now voicing their concerns about the impact of the grim global economic outlook on their populations, especially the young. U.S. assistance should heed these calls from Arab leaders and support a new agenda for economic development and regeneration. By maintaining our aid commitments to the region, President Obama can demonstrate the U.S. government’s commitment to a positive agenda toward the Muslim world. The question is: how can the U.S. use its increasingly limited resources more effectively? Access the full article>>



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