In 2003, when the United States invaded Iraq, there was much action taken to liberate. In addition, there were steps taken to reform trade agreements and conjure economic development. This began when President Bush, on May 9, 2003, proposed the Middle East Free Trade Area Initiative (MEFTA) be in place by 2013. This would begin a process to stimulate economic growth in the Middle East. Also, would bring forth access to World Trade Organization (WTO), and eventually a freer trade between the Middle East and other regions. If you want to learn more about this topic, please follow the links below.
https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/other-initiatives/middle-east-free-trade-area-initiative-mefta
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/free-trade-agreements-the-quiet-economic-track-of-u.s.-middle-east-policy
So where are we now? Feel free to comment and share your insight.
~Eric
Eric,
ReplyDeletethat was exactly the question I was going to ask. Where are we now? The references you put in your article are a decade old. I do not see an update to either one at the moment.
The link to the Washington Institute speaks about Egypt and issues there. It speaks about the president but I remember being at a computer conference in 2011 and it was all over the news about the revolt. The only reason I remember it, Twitter, facebook, and VPN's were being used to get the message out. The pipe for the internet was shut down though a govenrmental kill switch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_crisis_(2011%E2%80%9314)
My question is still, where are we now? Has there been further trade negotiations or have they all stalled out?
Anthony
I was unable to find any resolution. However, what I have noticed is how the United States weaponized the Middle East, which began decades ago, giving them a means to fight back the Russians. This provided the US with a strategic advantage over the oil markets. We help them defend their land (and our oil supply), we get to import their oil.
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