Well, the biggest problem is that "poverty," in general, is highly politicized. Talk to groups that really support supply-side economics. They'll blame all the world's ills on everything *except* poverty.
However, it cannot be ignored. I think it is a part of the equation. People want one thing, really, and that's dignity. Most of these Arab governments, though, are barely functional. If the government cannot provide basic needs, such as education and employment, religion (and, by extension, terrorist groups that use religion) will take their place. Has anyone ever bothered to ask why Hamas is so powerful? It may be designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States, but in the Arab world, it is highly respected even by the Palestinian Authority, because it, for years, has provided an infrastructure where government has failed. Of course, this is why Hamas is successful as a terrorist organization, and until the Palestinian Authority can provide stability, education, and jobs (for reference, something like 70% of Gaza/West Bank is unemployed), Hamas will remain respected. And I hate to say it, but the Bush Doctrine will do little to stop extremism in the long run. Iraq has devolved into extremism, because its infrastructure is demolished.
On the flip side, Iran, for all the bad press, is a relatively stable nation that happens to have horrid clerics running the show. For comparison, though, 70% of Iranians polled have a favorable view of Americans. I would strongly suggest that Bush not provoke a war with Iran lightly, because destroying their infrastructure to topple their government will breed extremism, and I tend to think that that 70% approval rating will drop immensely.
But, really, if the people of the Arab world have a reason to be alive, they will be less focused on the afterlife. As it stands, rampant unemployment and weak, corrupt governments do not make "being alive" seem that appealing.
Melon