The truth is, is once you understand the Arab Muslim mentality, and I mean, really understand it, it is quite simple. As a Westerner I never wanted to believe this dictum because it goes completely against my education and values but...it is true:
The Arabs respect and abide by FORCE. If you're strong and show toughness, you are respected and feared.
Right now, Obama and the West are seen as wet tissue paper.
If you are weak, they throw a shoe at your face and sodomize you...I know this sounds too simplistic but look all around you.
This is what they did to Libya's strong man Khaddafy once he was caught. They shot him and sodomized him because he was, at that point an Arab coward trying to save his life and for that he was deeply resented. This is what they did to the late American Ambassador Stevens as well. It is like the final insult.
THIS is the mentality. Once you accept this basic premise, everything falls into place and you can then begin combating it because you know how they think and behave - no surprises for this cowboy...
The relationships within the ME are a little more complicated then just strength & force, but I agree that it’s a big part of it.