Good article. But the recent events show how much a fascade nationalism is in the region. It's a part of the world whose political boundaries were constructed by foreign empires for their own purposes rather than for the political harmony and needs of the people. In the absence of a strong, oppressive state to keep such unnatural states in place, the people revert to a more natural state of divisions based on shared cultures (religion, ethnicity, tribe, etc.). Look at the Balkans, the Indian subcontinent, the Soviet Union and even the UK to some extent. The same will happen in China sooner or later too.

I agree it is sad, shortsighted and totally unnecessary. And it is the educated professionals that bemoan it the most.

I worry that it will get much worse before it gets better. Terrorist-style warfare in Bahrain, splintering of states, civil war, etc.