@mina@shanesemler Some of the first kingdoms of the late Stone Age emerged in the Jordan valley, some of the first state wars between professional armies (as opposed to tribal wars between traditional warriors) happened there. Archaeologists have found stockpiles of spearheads, arrowheads, and slingshot bullets made from stone, in the region. I think it's just the geography--a river valley near the coast in a very arid region, of course everybody wants to rule it.
xs4me2