I don't think comparing it to China is fair comparison at all. Aside from the sheer difference in populations between China and MENA, America never gave much of a shit about China up until a few decades ago, they were more concerned with Japan back in the 80s. Look how recent China's rise has been.
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Whereas with MENA, there was always been a constant interest in the region due to oil, defending israel, trade routes like the suez canal, etc. And that has been going on for 100 years, obviously far FAR longer than they have ever had interest in China.
That said, the bottom line is this: If a bunch of Natufian-mixed Arabs can make 1st world countries, then by race realism rules, the more Aryan-mixed, more Anatolian-mixed Arabs of Syria/Iraq/Palestine, would naturally ALSO be able to make 1st world countries if they weren't under constant attacked.