This isn’t about growing up. The region is not just ripe enough for democracy. The education system for the past 50+ years has been all about memorization, not critical thinking. Certainly not critical thinking in politics. And definitely no criticism thinking of religion. The curriculums also over emphasize certain parts of history and completely erases others. Once these things get overhauled, and true political parties form, then we can talk about democracy.

The middle east is so polarized, that democracies only are bringing out extremism. That's what Israel has Netenyahu for 20+ years. Muslim countries would be electing the same level of extremism, like the Iranian Ayatollahs. Don't think it would solve one thing.