The Arab World’s Great Split-Up

According to this piece by Rami Khoury, oil wealth is creating an increasingly significant dichotomy in the Arab world.

Same language, different worlds…

In a nutshell, Mr. Khoury argues that one part (The oil-rich, sparsely populated part) is becoming more wealthy, dynamic, cohesive, pluralist, orderly, governed by the rule of law and secular, whereas the other (The populous, poor counterpart) is becoming poorer, more stagnant, fragmented, insular, disorderly, lawless and more religious.

Of course Mr. Khoury’s theory — like most of his arguments — is general to the point of oversimplification. Take Saudi Arabia for example. One can’t possibly argue that the Saudis are becoming more pluralist and secular than, say, Lebanon, Morrocco or Tunisia.

But in general, his article is an important look at an important trend in today’s Arab world.