"You consider yourself moderately well informed, but by what standard do you draw that conclusion? A third grade student may consider himself "good at math" without ever even knowing what the word "Algebra" means."
I think the phrase I used was "moderately well informed citizen." Which would be more equivalent to the third grader saying "I am good at math for a third grader." I hold no special expertise on the subject, but I probably know more about it than the average American citizen. Pretty clear.
"Western imperialism" is an overused phrase, and I did hesitate to use it. But you can't say that the history of the ME has not been shaped by imperialism.
It is certainly true that many Muslims see western ways as a negative influence on their society, but I would argue that the primary radicalizing issue is Isreal. As far as the origins of the Isreali state, I admit I am not an expert. But I do know that we are closely associated with Isreal in the eyes of both the Muslim world and the world in general.
And I spend about 6 hours a day reading historians. Just not historians of anything pertinent to this discussion.
If you're a student now at a university, Mike, I hope you'll take a look at this important project:
http://www.campus-watch.org/
Our college students today are being purposely misguided by quite a few of their professors. That website gives information about the issue.
You invest quite a bit of modifying power in one simple noun. Wouldn't it be more intellectually honest to admit you only have a pedestrian awareness of the subject?
"Western imperialism" is an overused phrase, and I did hesitate to use it. But you can't say that the history of the ME has not been shaped by imperialism.
When your only tool is a hammer all your problems are called "nails." This observation has less than nothing to do will the current situation, and I consider it sophomoric to even attempt to inject it as an mitigate.
... but I would argue that the primary radicalizing issue is Isreal
Then by all means, proceed!
But I do know that we are closely associated with Isreal in the eyes of both the Muslim world and the world in general.
And for good reason, but I would argue that association in the mouths of critics more resembles Dashel associating Rush Limbaugh with the Washington Times than any real offense perpetrated against them.