In the last half century, despite enormous oil wealth, the Arab countries have fallen behind the rest of the world in most categories that matter (economic, education, scientific, political.) These failures have been the main cause of the unrest in the Arab world, and the growth of radical groups like al Qaeda. It's been popular, for the last half century, for Arabs to blame everyone but themselves for these problems. But even Arabs are now having second thoughts about these popular excuses for Arab failure. There are problems within Arab culture, and only now are they being openly talked about by Arabs. But solutions will be difficult, and won't attract much media attention. It's dull stuff, cultural failure, but it's where the key to the future of peace in the Middle East will be found.