I've put peaceful in apostrophes because I'm not sure it's the right word. But basically, in recent years most middle eastern countries have been on travel advisories, and you hear about car bombings, kidnappings and all that on the news. While I'm not going to generalise and say that that sort of thing is run-of-the-mill in the Middle East, I'm wondering if it was always dangerous, or if that's come about more recently with the rise of Islamist extremism after the end of the Cold War?
Not very. Off the top of my head and this is mostly from 1945 on.
That catches up to the prelude of the Gulf War with the invasion of Kuwait. So yeah not a lot of peace and happiness.
Edit: Oh, forgot the North Yemen Civil War of 67 and probably more.
Middle East hasn't really been peaceful since the era of imperialism in the 19th century. Large number of issues found there today were orchestrated and/or caused by the European powers, mostly Brits, that wanted to take control of the region and, under the imperialist doctrine of spreading civilization, saw fit to use any means necessary. And then there's also Israel, which is it's own special issue.
Before that, there wasn't that much conflict and my understanding is that it was mostly centered on the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Arabs there.
When you say the 'Gulf War' do you mean the 1991 US-Iraq war or the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war?
Can I ask additional question? I have an impression, that Iran-Iraq war, despite being very long and bloody, is little-known outside of Middle East. Is it true and if true, why is so? Thanks.