We cant bring Western democracy to the Middle East, and we should stop trying to. The region has had thousands of years of living without democracy, and our arrogant stupid politicians think they can and should change that.
The euphoria over the so called Arab spring was pathetic to watch quite frankly.
Its actually a pity that Israel is in the middle of it, and that we still need the oil. Otherwise it could be virtually cut off from the Western world and ignored as irrelevant.
It is to do with religion, to the extent that, if you want total loyalty and commitment from people (to the point of suicide), if you can link your political cause (thirst for power) with their deeply held religious convictions, then your onto a good thing.
Its happened all over the world for centuries, most recently in Northern Ireland, as far as the U.K. goes, and wil be a difficult thing to eradicate.
The difference with the crusades was that people didn't know any better then. Most of the world had moved on a very long way over the centuries, but sectors of Islam are going in the opposite direction.
The answers to the problem would take politicians in possession of wisdom and a spine, requiring political correctness to be ignored, so don't hold your breath.
I am deafened by the silence from the moderates of this religion, are they afraid to speak out ?
Are we not going to see Muslims in London, Luton and other cities of these isles where they are prominent, venting there anger in the street at what ISIS or whatever oppsed up name they call themselves this week are doing in the so called name of Islam ?
Why are we not hearing one after another the heads of State from the Middle East denouncing this stuff ? Why are we not seeing the millions under arms in these countries being deployed?
One minute they tell us they hate ISIS but now we get nothing but silence.
Why ?
All we hear is the pathetic attempts of western gravy train liberals to try the "explain" rationally why a totally irrational act has been committed and I am sick of it

These nutters cut off your head for a cartoon for opps sake

That has nothing to do western oppression, poverty or us being in their lands, it is imaginary friend fantasies' gone wild and it needs wiping out with an enlightenment similar to the one that rid the world of radical Christianity.
1500 years ago, the Christian faith moved forwards but those who seem to be the voice of Islam are moving backwards.
It's time for the end of faith ?