Thursday April 20, 2006

I've Been Thinking:

Iran-Khodro is the Iranian equivalent of Ford Motors.
They make a car called the "Samand."

The Iranians just sent out a press release announcing that Iran-Khodro has finished building a plant in Syria and, in a few months, they will move toward their goal of producing 5,000 Samands per year.
Iran also has a plan to expand their Samand regional export to 30,000 annually.

Imagine Volkswagen opening a plant in Mexico, or a Cadillac rolling out in Germany. This is an enormous step by Iran.

Syria benefits tremendously by this arrangement.
Syria is in great need of industry and the Syrian Prime Minister has already ordered that State facilities buy the Samand cars.

Why is Iran building a plant in Syria? Iran is an industrialized country with sophisticated hi-tech and low-tech industry.
Here's why: If Iran can provide much needed inexpensive goods and services to the region then Iran becomes the most important link in the process of raising the regional standard of living.

In this region, a little economic assistance translates into enormous political power.