The worst ramifications of the Middle East's dysfunctions -- terrorism, illegal migration, ethnic strife, corruption, police states, and assorted atrocities perpetuated by both state and private actors -- are only occasional irritants for the rest of the world, not pressing strategic threats. We have marginalized ourselves as serious players on the global political stage, and now assume the role of nagging annoyances and miscreants.
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2008/12/the-annoying-middle-east/9266/
