The Middle East is characterized by the following 14-century-old intra-Muslim features: no intra-Muslim peaceful coexistence, unpredictability, instability, religious and ethnic fragmentation, violent intolerance, terrorism and subversion, Islam-driven goals including the unacceptance of an "infidel" entity in the "abode of Islam."
Most of the Middle East is not driven by a desire to improve standard of living, but by religious/ideological visions.
