As much as I hate to say that you're right. The root of the Middle East Problems can be traced back to the time the Ottomans occupied the Middle East. When World War One broke out England promised the Middle East freedom if they help them fight the ottomans. Keep in mind the Ottomans were one of Germany's biggest allies in the war. When the Ottomans were defeated France and England split the Middle East and oppressed the region. When they finally left it the region was broken apart and crippled.

There was once a time in which Arabs were leading innovators in the world. Discovering new ideas and improving old ones.

Now all we're good for is Oil.