I'm Moderately Smart...right?

Over the last week or two, I've been working my way through Thomas Friedman's "Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After 9-11." Friedman is a columnist for the New York Times and an expert in globalization. At the beginning of the book, he stated that he doesn't seek to editorialize or persuade-just be clear in his writing so people can draw their own conclusions. I appreciate this since, it seems, most political books I've read as of late get into "he said/she said."
Yet, as I've read Friedman's book, there are times I feel like a complete nincompoop. The conflicts of the Middle East are his main source of content. Since 9-11, I think most Americans have become more aware there IS a world outside our borders, and some of us may even know a good deal more than we did six years ago. Yet, the names, the views, the histories, the wars, the different religious factions, etc. etc. etc. are really tough to keep straight-even for an hombre like me who tries to stay up on this stuff. And yet, remembering who the bad guys are and who the good guys are is tough! I mean, there isn't anything surprising about the fact most folks cannot name their Senators, much less know their views on foreign policy. And still...I continue to feel ignorant. It's not for lack of trying, either! But, doesn't this just go to prove that this world we live in is one complicated, complicated place? Still, that makes me want to learn-not throw up my hands and disregard it all. I hope you do the same.