Arab nations are dominted by Islam. This is a key aspect to their inability to progress IMO.

The west (i.e. western Europe) went through the enlightenment in the 1700s, largely unshakling the political from the religious. The west has had 500 years developing.

Islam came into being around 700ad. If they have their enlightenment that would mean, if the cycle is the same, it will be in after the year 2200. They have another 200 years to go.