The Idiocy of Middle East Terrorism and Nuclear Zealotry

Imagine how different the world would look if they just used common sense. Imagine the kind of lives their peoples could have.

The Middle East has oil. Enormous amounts of oil. The volume of that oil alone could provide decent lifestyles to citizens across the Persian Gulf region. If they ditched the corruption and theocratic aspects of their countries, oil revenue and the jobs connected to it would create a stable environment for those countries to thrive.

The Middle East also has beautiful weather throughout much of the year and the beaches upon which to enjoy that weather. Vacation revenue tied to that weather could supplement the oil revenue, bringing countless jobs in the leisure and hospitality, construction, utilities, and financial services industries. If they ditched the corruption and theocratic aspects of their countries, vacation revenue and the jobs connected to it would create a stable environment for those countries to thrive.

The Middle East also has ancient archeological sites and fascinating historical places much of the world would love to see. Tourist revenue focused on visiting those archeological sites and fascinating historical places could supplement oil and vacation revenue, deepening the employment opportunities across the region. If they ditched the corruption and theocratic aspects of their countries, tourism revenue and the jobs connected to it would create a stable environment for those countries to thrive.

The Middle East also has terrorists and theocratic regimes that stamp out freedom and security for anyone not adhering to their dogmas. Those terrorists and theocratic regimes bring little positive economic benefits to the region and the people in the region. They also spend disproportionate amounts of money on weapons and terrorist activities directly and indirectly. They also hinder oil, vacation, and tourist revenue and investment. Some of those countries have tried to create “pleasure zones” like Dubai, but those zones come with the threat of violence at a moment’s notice.

And that, my friends, is why idiocy runs amok in the Middle East. A simple retreat from terrorism and nuclear zealotry and adoption of freedom and security would usher in a true Golden Age for the Middle East, akin to what it experienced back during the Abbasid Caliphate. The people in the Middle East could lead lives full of prosperity and opportunity.