Americans also do not understand the clan structures that have dominated the Middle East for centuries. We hardly recognize the traditional family structure now, much less the idea of bloodline clans. A Scot would relate to that concept more quickly than an American. The past thirty or forty years of American history have relegated religion to a personal matter never to influence one's political expedience. That is not true of Judaism, Islam, or the nationalism of these two states.
Religion is a major factor in the Middle East.
Dealing with opinions is difficult when no other divisions exist. Americans are finding this out as our own nation divides over moral, ethical and religious issues. The traditional way of settling such issues in the Middle East has been by warfare, conqueror take all. Yes, it's changed the weapons involved, and that concerns us all. Contact Copyright Political USA, 1999-2000.