The year was 1978, the historical Camp David Agreements were being signed. As a 10 year old child, I watched the proceedings on TV, as Carter, Begin and Sadat stood around smiling, shaking hands and signing a bunch of papers.
That day the commentator on the Iranian National Television, spoke eloquently and with much emotion as he described the bright future that awaited the region. This agreement would lead to everlasting peace. Perhaps his optimism was more like a 10 year old boy than a veteran TV reporter!
In the proceeding years that followed the region went back to its old ways, wars, conflicts, assassinations, violence, inter and intra-conflicts between nations and within nations, radicalization, death and destruction. This happened during the era when the rest of the world went through a transformation in all arenas of human endeavor from economic growth to democratization.
Today's Act of Misery continues to play out in Syria, Iraq and other parts of the region. There are protests and counter-protests around the world in the name of peace, justice, and the right to defend. Diplomats flying all over, holding meetings and giving interviews and pointing fingers and then announcing cease-fire , governments support and encourage each side and feed them weapons.
The people of this region are blessed with all the necessary resources and human capitol to make the Middle East the leading scientific, environmental and business zone in the world. But instead of going to school and conducting research, its citizens have to worry about bullets and bombs, instead of running towards their school out of excitement for another school year, its children have to run to the bomb-shelter out of fear. People in the same city can't meet in person and have to Skype as they can't go to certain neighborhoods because of their religion, sect or ethnicity! Instead of the region attracting professionals and experts from around the world to share their knowledge and enhance the quality of life , it attracts the worst of the worst of the international community who come in the region to spread venom and destruction.
The truth is that the great majority of the people living within the diverse communities of the Middle East are moderates who want to live in peace and prosperity. They love their children, their neighbors and have within their hearts compassion for people who are different from them. Most want a normal life. Not until the moderates unite throughout the region and create a united voice that indeed, "enough is enough" this abnormal backwardness will continue. Not until the international community shows a genuine interest for the welfare of all the area's inhabitants and groups these conflicts will continue. When the motives of the "friends of the region" comes in line with the betterment of the lives of the citizens of Syria and Iraq rather than advancing their narrow and short-term interests then there is real chance for peace and progress.
Until that day comes I will pretend I am 10 years old again and just believe everything that the TV commentator said four decades ago!
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