Rustico: Where to begin? I guess by saying that the rulers of the Middle East have done a far better job of oppressing their people (and for a far longer time) than the Western powers ever have.

As far as America being an autocracy: That is opinion oft advanced, but with no basis in fact.

Islam has been always been a religion of war, and has been spread by the sword since it’s inception. It is a religion that demands either subjugation, or death. The idea that there is any moral equivalence between the prevailing religion/philosophy of the Middle East and Western democratic states beggars description.

As far as centuries of oppression and death, please give examples. As the various posters here are fond of saying: Please provide data.

As regards our (Western democracies) exploitation of their mineral resources: Explain then how Saudi Arabia, Kuwaiti, Qatar, UAE, etc, are all cash rich states. That region is awash in petrodollars, all paid by the self same Western democracies that are so egregiously exploiting them. An interesting paradox, no?