[wimpycat]

Excellent observations.

On a similar note, if and when Iran ever shakes off its theocratic dictatorship, Iran has the potential (the potential, mind you, if not the will) to be a really successful, relatively prosperous country. I believe that universities in Iran have at least a 50% female enrollment.

Iraq also has the potential to throw off its 3rd world fetters. The raw material is there--all they need is the will to go for it.

[Lorianne]

Agreed about Iran. It is poised to take a different path than other Islamic theocracies. This is in part due to their ethnic background and culture being distinctive from Arab background and culture (they are largely Persian, not Arab). Robert Kaplan had a very good chapter on the whys and wherefores about Iran in his excellent book Ends of the Earth and subsequent articles about Iran. Once they break free of the mullahs and theocracy and become more secular as Turkey has, they could be a very successful and egalitarian society.