Parts of the Middle East and North Africa were historically considered the Fertile Crescent, but this region of abundance is now in decline, and some analysts say it's no coincidence that there is unrest growing in its place.

Stranded Egyptians who have fled Libya protest because of insufficient food, water and shelter, in a camp on March 1, 2010 in Ras Jdir, close to the border between Tunisia and Egypt. (Carlos Spottorno/Getty Images) Tens of thousands of people…