The New York Times, 24 years ago: "A blunt new report by Arab intellectuals commissioned by the United Nations warns that Arab societies are being crippled by a lack of political freedom, the repression of women and an isolation from the world of ideas that stifles creativity.” "The report notes that while oil income has transformed the landscapes of some Arab countries, the region remains 'richer than it is developed.' Per capita income growth has shrunk in the last 20 years to a level just above that of sub-Saharan Africa. Productivity is declining. Research and development are weak or nonexistent. Science and technology are dormant." "Intellectuals flee a stultifying -- if not repressive -- political and social environment, it says.” The study also reported that the Arab world translated only 330 books into Arabic annually — one-fifth the number of books translated in Greek. "In the 1,000 years since the reign of the Caliph Mamoun, it concludes, the Arabs have translated as many books as Spain translates in just one year.” 👉 nytimes.com/2002/07/02/world…