Over several decades, the history of the Middle East has been a maelstrom of deadly conflicts between neighbors, races, religions, factions and nations. At its core were the intrigues of both western powers and the incumbent native ruling hierarchies vying for control of the life blood of the world's industrial behemoths: oil.
Driven by rigid cultural values and implacable religious dictates, the exploited peoples of the area struck back. In recent times, the progress of their retaliation stretches from Beirut barracks destruction, Teheran embassy hostages, Riyadh hotel bombings, the...