>If I read too much about the middle east I feel there is no hope for the region. Where are the moderates? When will Islam have its reformation and enlightenment that propelled Europe to the forefront. Then some news...

There are much more moderates in middle east, then common western reading or news watching might offer for someone to conclude.

Struggle of those moderates against Islam radicalism, is now greatly backtracked by current situation. On the west side, aldough that democracy/human rights are widely proclaimed, we are witnessing
effective reduction of human rights, and proliferation of radical ideas
in foregn policy matters. (How to resolve MiddleEast and other world problems).
Wars started in last 6 years are certainly not a way to resolve anything.

You shldnt be only worried/depressed about worsening situation in the middleast, but also about degradation of western civilisation core values, and how easily real democracy can be turned into 'something completely different' when money/power is alowed to effectively overwrite chapter by chapter of democratic country constitution.

Islam is NOT the problem, it is just religion. It needs lot of 'upgrading' to do, but it is not 'root of all evil' as it is often presented by those radical 'thick-tank' hawks...

Islamist Radicalisam is promoted into 'World's No1 Threat' and maintained at all times high, for strictly political purposes, and has nothing to do with reality in waist majority of Islamic countries.
They (Islamic countries), are mostly working very hard on maintaining internal stability and protecting their own people (and western guests) against attacks by those radicals. Situation caused by latest wars
is not helping them at all in that respect.

Even Turkey, who has secularisam cemented in their constitution (and moreover in power setup) will now face big challenges to maintain political stability, due to explosive situation in the region.
Let's just hope that those hundred of thousands of people will not have to march in boots, because of all mess that was created in their immediate neighbourhood, and probably backyard as well.

>
>"Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a vote for the country's next president. The protesters are concerned that the ruling party's candidate for the post remains loyal to his Islamic roots."
>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6604643.stm