> by all accounts, Iraq was a good place to live

I am told the same is true for Iran. Thing is, in both countries, people who did not represent the beautiful, peaceful citizens forced out the benevolent leaders and got themselves into office.

And that's one reason cited why the West and the Middle East have been at odds for recent memory. Yes, not questioning there's a bit of the evil of capitalism involved nowadays, but because the people in charge Now are less friendly to others and their own people than they were Then.