"For awhile" seems to indicate that it is actually true. Compared to previous years the Middle-East wa relatively calm just before the 9/11 attacks occurred. Nice and cozy are obviously not the best chosen words, but I've heard worse statements from politicians than this one.
That place has been a disaster since Mohammed, most Americans simply couldn't see the forest for the trees.
Clearly the invention of Algebra, Modern Trigonometry and Numerals, massive advancements in Medieval science are clearly disaster for Mankind.
Its been all backwards since that point. And like they say, the sun shines on a dogs ass every now and again.
That's at least 300 years of history.. certainly until 1400 or so the Middle East had a far more advanced civilisation than Europe. That's about 750 years since Mohammed's death.
750 years ago America really was on a dogs ass. Or it would have been, had historical writing been invented\imported there yet.
Uhh.. I have two words for you:
Potato famine
