Nolimitholdem, I think you are a bit overboard in this, having spent a fair bit of time in this part of the world I can agree with you to some degree, however I think my view of the ME was helped by takeing a very good course titled "Living in the Arab World", it was put on by TWA in the days when they were running some flight departments in the ME. I often listen to Canadians who just cant grasp the huge cultural/religious/ ethical gulf between societies around the world, half of us dont even understand Quebec for Petes sake! For myself, I would go back at the drop of a hat, but age prevents this.