Yup. That and the continual Western presence in the region constantly builds up pressure. It's hard to feel free with an ever present security force, a constant

Yup. That and the continual Western presence in the region constantly builds up pressure. It's hard to feel free with an ever present security force, a constant string of corrupt political leaders who use religion to their advantage, and when international allegiances are murky at best. A great book on the subject is "Lawrence in Arabia" by Scott Anderson. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2012/04/2012417131242767298.html http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2012/04/2012417... I don't like saying it, but I can't take this Economist article seriously if it doesn't even bring up some of the most important events of the last 100 years in the region. Yes, times are different; the region used to be very successful, promoting education and equality of all types. But it's no mystery as to why those changes came about, and why the region won't easily revert to what it used to be.