In early 2004, the George W Bush administration unveiled a plan for the Middle East that would include across-the-board reforms in Israel, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia as well as other smaller Arab states.

It is often taken for granted that higher standards of living and education would reduce the risk of radicalism. Named The Middle East Initiative , it was part of Washington’s grand strategy to fight global terrorism root and branch by creating a Middle East that would be economically vibrant and politically stable.