Eeyup. Thirty Years War, Hundred Years War, The Inquisitions, etc. Europe went through it. Now it's the Mid-East's turn.
Someday, it'll all straighten out. Same holds true for Africa. It can't last forever and, despite the usual setbacks a-plenty, the general path of humanity is towards progress.
Bit of a nitpick, but the Hundred Years' War wasn't really a religious event, aside from Joan of Arc's piously motivated campaign. As for the various Inquisitions, things were a lot more complicated than the general public believes.
As for Africa, there's already some overall improvement:
http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2014/07/Africa-is-getting-better#.VfMrhy_lvIUI'm sure the Middle-East will stabilize eventually, but it's important to note that the current geopolitical state of the region has been the result of decolonization, Cold War politics, and post-Cold War fuckery. Not to mention the US-backed ethnic cleansing in Palestine.
Aside from one minor quibble (the Israeli settlements, though deserving of criticism, aren't "ethnic cleansing"), I agree wholeheartedly. The problem isn't Islam, it's a series of complex geopolitical factors that created a perfect storm for violence to erupt. There aren't any vices inherent or exclusive to Muslims, just like with any other religion.
Things aren't going to inevitably get better unless NATO and the US change how they approach foreign policy in the region.
I agree. Here are some of my suggestions:
1. Back moderates wherever and whenever possible. Show the Middle East that radical Islamism ain't the only answer. If we'd backed the anti-Taliban coalition in the Afghan Civil War, there might not have been a 9/11.
2. Take in refugees, and be fair but firm with them. Protect them from harassment, make them feel welcome, but if they commit felonies, send them back. Those who violate hospitality don't deserve asylum.
3. Make some kind of compromise with Israel. Offer them something in exchange for dismantling the settlements. All of a sudden, you'll see Palestinians shouting "Death to extremists! Long live America!" Moreover, the radicals would lose a major recruiting tool.
4. Try to avoid putting boots on the ground. It's been demonstrated many times that you
can topple tyrants without outright invading them.