[rescripting]

Of course they did. It was 2012. The Arab Spring was happening when this was written.

People might have been wrong, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a somewhat common belief.

[dgfitz]

It was common in some circles, sure. It was not a commonly held belief.

[dannyobrien]

You originally said "noone thought this".

[dgfitz]

Hyperbole, apologies. Your pedantic point was correct.

[dannyobrien]

the best kind of correct!