ARTICLE: Gulf states judged most competitive, Al Jazeera

The optimistic scenario on the Middle East is that the smaller, smarter, more agile Gulf states see the writing on the wall and use the windfall this time around to set themselves up for far more than just a continued role in energy in the global economy.

The lead geese role may always seem marginal at first, then you remember Singapore and Hong Kong in Asia and you realize that big change can come in small packages.

Also, you can say this is just resource-driven stuff within the region and you'd be right. But back off a bit and realize the demand connection to Asia, remember the rising east-east financial flows and Asia's rising commodities interest in Africa, and then things like Dubai looking to become a player in African ports looks a whole lot more interesting.

Think horizontally, see the connections, recognize the progress staring you in the face.

Horizontal thinking gets you optimism, not the other way around.

Thanks to Tyler Durden for sending this.