The Middle East/Muslim world is far less prominent on the geopolitical stage of the IST World mainly because it exploded already and is in a somewhat nervous/possibly terrified quiescent stage. That does not mean it isn't relevant.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.