Make at least one Middle Eastern country other than Israel a rich, developed democracy!

BigBlueBox

Banned
In 1948 Syria accepts the Palestinian refugees and gives them farm land in Northern Syria.
The extra tax income and forign aid is used to develop infrastructure and fund education. Syria becomes a stable prosperous nation.
You can't be serious. There are already plenty of Palestinian refugees in Syria and it doesn't look stable or prosperous to me. If anything taking in more would inflame ethnic tensions and destabilize the country like it did in Lebanon.
 
Only if he dies before he can complete the Islamification of Turkey. And hopefully his successor brings back secularism and finds a lasting settlement for the Kurdish question. Ironically, Erdogan tried harder than anyone before him to negotiate with the Kurds, until he decided he needed more support from the nationalists.
What about admitting 1915?
 

Infinity

Banned
What opportunity? If China doesn't open up for trade with America than American countries will turn to Mexico and Latin America, or some other Asian country. Not another unstable Middle Eastern country. Being dependent on them for oil was considered a bad thing. Nobody in America would want to be dependent on them for manufacturing too.
The opportunity is for Iran and other muslim countries. None of the otl instability would occur with a strong manufacturing base. A strong working class is the best way to prevent political upheaval. The oil industry provides some jobs, but not enough. Part of what makes oil so profitable is how little labor is needed. That wealth goes into the hands of the few and doesn't trickle down.
 

oberdada

Gone Fishin'
What about Kuwait?

Let's try a scenario.
1990
Iraq invades, and manages to get hold of the extended family of the Emir.
They eventually suffer the fate of the Romanovs.
After liberating the country, the US sponsor elections for a National Assembly.
That decides on transforming the country into a parliamentary monarchy, with a weak Emir as head of state.
Franchise is extended, and after 2010 citizenship is possible for the children of foreigners born in the country.
 
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