[GIJoel]

Mississipi wrote:

"I'd be interested to hear what you think the reasons are that the Arabs and majority of the nations in the middle east choose not to join the "modern civilized world".

Some have, IMO. I think those countries who practice traditional Islam (such as Turkey) have come a lot further in terms of joining the modern world than those countries, such as Iran, that have bastardized their own religion.

[mississippi red-neck]

I was wondering why those Like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria Lebanon Libya. I mean some of them have been around for thousands of years even before the soviets yet the majority of their people live in poverty and have lived in poverty for hundreds of years.

BTW Turkey I believe is a democratic government. They have a secular government. As far as practicing "traditional" Islam it depends on who you ask. The Saudis tell you they practice true Islam and Syria and Iran and those in the West Bank and Yemen and the Tali-ban ,etc. all tell you they practice true Islam.

I have always wondered why these nations like Egypt etc have been around for thousands of years their people still live in poverty and the state of Israel has been in existence since 1948 and have become such a vibrant economic and military power in the same region. Any thoughts?