You contend that few PhDs are trained in the Middle East outside Egypt (Nature 472, 276–279; 2011). Israel is a sizeable contributor as well.

In 2008–09, Israel had more than 10,000 students enrolled in doctoral programmes (Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel). This is fewer than Egypt's 35,000 for the same period, but many more per capita.

Given ongoing tensions in the region, the scientific press has a responsibility to report data related to higher education and research transparently and accurately (see also Nature 471, 37; 2011).