Prince Talal of Jordan in Naples
This evening I had the opportunity to hear a speech by Prince Talal of Jordan. For many years the Naples Town Hall Lecture Series has brought to Naples some of the most renowned and accomplished individuals in the world. It was announced that this was the first time in the last 20 year that a member of a royal family has been one of the scheduled speakers.
Prince Talal spoke of Jordan's strategic location in the Middle East and the role it plays today as a friend of Israel and the U.S. He illustrated how well Jordan's people know our country and keep up - in real time - with our news and movies. Today, he says, Jordanians from all levels of society have knowledge of English. Prince Talal, with BS and MS degrees in US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, is a refined diplomat who would never openly criticize another nation. However, I sensed that he feels that we need to do a better job of getting to know the Middle East, their way of life, their cultures. On the other hand, he calls for his people to remember the benevolence of the U.S., the security we provide, and the friendship we have shared.
He believes that it is "undemocratic to spread democracy by force" and that "the attempt (by the U.S.) to transform the Middle East into democracies will not work." He pointed out a fundamental difference between our determination to "vote as individuals", and the Middle Easterner's vote, which represents -first and foremost - his loyalty to his religious, ethnic, sectarian, and regional identity. According to him, this results in internal strife and chaos.
Nevertheless, Prince Talal stated that a withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan would be interpreted by the Middle East as defeat. He wants to bring about lasting peace in the region, but noted the threat posed by a nuclear Iran. The royal dignitary, speaking on his own behalf rather than in an official capacity, declared that everything in the Middle East is a function of two core issues: oil and Israel.
At the dinner following his speech, Prince Talal addressed the attendees in a more informal manner, answering questions we posed. In this format, his warm, human side was revealed, as well as his quick wit and extraordinary talent.
To check upcoming lectures: http://www.thlectures.com/
To learn more about the unique lifestyle that Naples offers, scroll to the bottom of this page and
click "older entries."
For extensive information on Naples Florida, visit www.4NaplesRealEstate.com
Posted by Linda Loomis, Realtor
Naples real estate agent
John R. Wood Realtors
Naples FL
Prince Talal spoke of Jordan's strategic location in the Middle East and the role it plays today as a friend of Israel and the U.S. He illustrated how well Jordan's people know our country and keep up - in real time - with our news and movies. Today, he says, Jordanians from all levels of society have knowledge of English. Prince Talal, with BS and MS degrees in US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, is a refined diplomat who would never openly criticize another nation. However, I sensed that he feels that we need to do a better job of getting to know the Middle East, their way of life, their cultures. On the other hand, he calls for his people to remember the benevolence of the U.S., the security we provide, and the friendship we have shared.
He believes that it is "undemocratic to spread democracy by force" and that "the attempt (by the U.S.) to transform the Middle East into democracies will not work." He pointed out a fundamental difference between our determination to "vote as individuals", and the Middle Easterner's vote, which represents -first and foremost - his loyalty to his religious, ethnic, sectarian, and regional identity. According to him, this results in internal strife and chaos.
Nevertheless, Prince Talal stated that a withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan would be interpreted by the Middle East as defeat. He wants to bring about lasting peace in the region, but noted the threat posed by a nuclear Iran. The royal dignitary, speaking on his own behalf rather than in an official capacity, declared that everything in the Middle East is a function of two core issues: oil and Israel.
At the dinner following his speech, Prince Talal addressed the attendees in a more informal manner, answering questions we posed. In this format, his warm, human side was revealed, as well as his quick wit and extraordinary talent.
To check upcoming lectures: http://www.thlectures.com/
To learn more about the unique lifestyle that Naples offers, scroll to the bottom of this page and
click "older entries."
For extensive information on Naples Florida, visit www.4NaplesRealEstate.com
Posted by Linda Loomis, Realtor
Naples real estate agent
John R. Wood Realtors
Naples FL
Posted by Linda C. Loomis at 2/25/2009 11:58 PM 
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Tags: Naples Town Hall lecture series naples florida john r wood realtors prince talal of jordan naples florida real estate naples florida blog prince of jordan Linda Loomis naples fl naples florida real estate agent
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Naples Town Hall lecture series naples florida john r wood realtors prince talal of jordan naples florida real estate naples florida blog prince of jordan Linda Loomis naples fl naples florida real estate agent
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