>it works better if you substitute 'arabic nations' with 'dictatorships'. But that begs the question of why the Middle East, which for thousands of years had r

>it works better if you substitute 'arabic nations' with 'dictatorships'. But that begs the question of why the Middle East, which for thousands of years had ruled western eurasia, was conquered by the West. I say it was because the West developed a form of culture, politics and military that is simply more powerful. And the article is giving some of the particulars here. >Well to me it reeks of Orientalism So is it your view that the Middle East would be a wonderful, just, egalitarian, materially comfortable place if it weren't for the evil West?