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Can the Internet Bring Peace to the Middle East?

© lawhawk

I have been a big fan of the Internet since I started using it over 10 years ago. I was able to search distant research libraries, conduct research, and speak with interesting people who lived all over the world.

Among the people I 'met,' was an individual who lived in Saudi Arabia. We had an ongoing discussion on religion, politics, and life in general. I know that without the Internet, I would probably never have the opportunity to talk to someone living there about such issues. The Internet made those conversations possible and also allowed the opportunity to send letters to political leaders including the President of the US about Middle East politics (and I have actually gotten a number of letters in response).

Now you may be wondering what the Internet can do for the peace process. Israel is one of the most wired countries in the world. It has been a tremendous influence on the Internet, from companies that provide technologies and services to ICQ (the Instant Messaging service that revolutionized the way people contact each other online).

Those technologies are pervasive in Israel, but are strictly controlled or unavailable in other parts of the Middle East because of poverty or political control over Internet access. If those conditions were alleviated, would the resulting access to technology and information improve matters?

I would argue that these would definitely improve the lives of the nations involved. Access to technology can improve the lives of people and allow them to make informed decisions about their lives. The more information available, the better. However, the access to information will be tempered by the control asserted by religious influences in the region to limit the access to 'corrupting' influences.

The peace process can be influenced by the Internet. Millions of people have access to the Internet around the world and can voice their opinions in forums such as this, in newsgroups, by contacting government leaders, or creating websites. These acts will serve to inform, inflame passions, and inspire others to actions.

What do you think?

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