This. It annoys the shit out of me when I hear the "They're just a bunch of savages living in caves." talk. They are savages, and they do live in caves. But that is not "just" what they "are".
Many people see images like the following and conclude the entire region is full of a bunch of stupid idiots. But as most of us know, one need not look further than any gun range in the United States to see what kind of Fudd-induced stupidity shows up when guns are involved. The ME is no different.
http://cdn.static-economist.com/site...1_MAP001_0.jpg
The image of the old guy screaming while shooting his 40 year old AK47 into the air, scope too far forward and Grip-Pod extended is the most common portrayal of these guys because the dramatic images get shown most often by the media. It might be easy to look at that from our perspective and go "I'd take that guy out from a mile away." The 8000+ US troops KIA since 9/11 would disagree.
Shakir Wahiyib - He's the real deal, and look what weapons his boys have.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...d_2942025b.jpg