Middle East Expertise

Totten: "Of course I was embedded with the United States military and had soldiers from the 82nd Airborne as my own personal bodyguards. Kidnapping me wasn’t an option for the Iraqis I met on the street. Their politeness, however, was optional and given freely. Don't assume they smiled and said "welcome" just because the Americans carried weapons." I have one question for you: can the quality of Middle East reporting can get any better than this? Really? (thanks Emily)