The Front Lines of International Economics
doha • US General and former presidential candidate Wesley Clark offered a lecture last night to a crowd of around 200 at the Diplomatic Club. The speech, sponsored by the Department of the Faculty at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, was entitled ‘The Front Lines of International Economics'.In his speech, Clark used his background in the US military, as well as his experience as an investment banker, to offer his predictions for the future of the global economic markets.
"Qatar is the front line of international economics," Clark said. Having spent time in many of the world's fastest-growing economies, he described how the future global leaders will be resource economies instead of manufacturing economies.
Clark did point out, however, that the growth of economies like Qatar's will require a strong security arrangement. In discussing the war in Iraq, Clark called the invasion unnecessary. When questioned, on the future of Iran, he stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving the situation. "Ideas are the most powerful thing in the world," he said. "But people have to see that there is a common interest. We have to find a common vision that makes Iran, America and the region better off."
Georgetown University student Yancee Hardy was pleased with Clark's comments. "It was refreshing to hear such optimism for the region and the world. His view of Qatar's chance to be a stakeholder on the world stage generates a lot of hope."
