No race or region has the monopoly on intelligence. Arabs, Persians etc are no more or less brighter than anyone else. A difference is the culture into which a person is born. In my town there is a secondary school that plunges the depths of the league tables and routinely churns out low-achievers and DSS fodder. But amongst this rabble, had their upbringing been different, are artists, doctors, scientists etc.
Similarly, in Iraq and it's neighbouring countries, there are millions of people stymied and brainwashed by a culture that shows little tolerance and has a poor regard for individuality and gender equality. Let's not forget that Egyptians built pyramids and Babylonians held parliaments when ancient Britains were still going "Ug". Egypt and Iraq are now under the yoke of the same religion and their progress is best described as stagnant.
Admittedly, I see news reels of Iraq and despair of people I see as little more than animals and I'm angry at every British serviceman/woman who dies there. I do believe we should get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan and leave them to what they do best - slaughter each other - but I'm acutely aware that there are millions of democracy-loving Iraqis who do not resemble their screaming, effigy-burning brethren in any way. It'ls a difficult one :(