I have never been to Alaska, but having spent two years in Saudi, I think I'd take it over the Middle East! Except for Israel.....
I'm going to spend 3 weeks driving from Alaska to California sometime next year...I can't wait. I've heard the scenery is AWESOME.
I'm too scared to go anywhere in the middle east nowadays without a bulletproof vest and M-16. My wife wants to go to Turkey and I said even that is too close. I think I'll live fine without ever going into that region again.