On December 17th, the New America Foundation welcomed Senior Advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dr. Vali Nasr to discuss his new book, Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for our World. He first highlighted the characteristics of the middle class that make it unique –and an anti-extremist, anti-terrorist movement. The middle class is an independent class rooted in market activities; their economic, political, and social positions are intimately tied to their role in the global economy. They, consequently, have a vested interest in global economic stability and avoid radicalism.

Dr. Nasr acknowledged that the Muslim middle class is unfortunately small and receives little attention; most of the Middle East still does not participate in the global economy. He said, however, that the middle class that does exist is a beacon of hope for Middle East analysts. Like most other middle classes, it is self-interested and concerned primarily about economic status and quality of life. Similar to Middle America, it is religiously and socially conservative, but avoids fundamentalism. “Jihad,” as Dr. Nasr stated, “is hardly good for business.”

Dr. Nasr concluded by predicting that the forces that will change the Muslim world will come not from reformers or enlightened clerics, but from the businessmen who take part in the global economy. If a middle class can be nurtured in the Middle East, it will stand as a strong, anti-terrorist bloc in a troubled region.

-Kalie Pierce, Research Intern, American Strategy Program