<There is a ditch of incomprehension between the western and the third world, and it's not necessarily their fault.

It is not a fault of the people, Raoul, on either side of that ditch. The fault lays squarely at the feet of the “guiding force”. Replace the government with something that actually works for the people, one that educates them in real-world impact -- rather than what some tyrannical maniac spouts from a minaret (racial slur, I’m sure). Just get rid of the tyrant, and I think you would be amazed with the results.

I'm afraid the ditch hasn't close up yet, but has been widening.

Iraq:
What happens when a tyrant outlaws democracy and presses for new palaces and arms for a military force of aggression, rather than seeing to the medical and educational needs of his own people. Whether they hate Hussein, love Hussein, even know who Hussein is remains immaterial. The results are seen.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Business tycoons running a nation for the sole purpose of making money. Labor of any sort is beneath them. They are the chosen of God, which allows them to sneer at the rest of the world. All non-Muslims are to be looked upon as less than human. Their religious leaders (AKA the government) backs this 100%, from school to grave.

Pakistan:
More of God’s chosen people, many of whom look upon their own government as a cloning puppet regime owned and operated by the United States of America. Any explanation or education to the contrary is results in claims of covert ops and international conspiracy, almost always involving Western influence.

Afghanistan:
A war-torn region (all our fault, of course) that looks upon its liberators with more than a modicum of confusion. An invading force that allows the people to elect a new government. The results of this cannot yet be known, and may require a full decade to fully analyze.

Dan