[quote=@Vilageidiotx]
<Snipped quote by genghismike>

It's rather straight forward, really. As [@Antarctic Termite] pointed out, there are more connections between us and France then there are between us and Syria, at least in terms of familiarity. I think if you asked most people about Syria or Kenya, they wouldn't say that it doesn't matter at all, they would certainly sympathize, but those places are further away to us.

Not to mention, of course, that middle eastern violence isn't ignored. It's in the news all the time. When the War in Syria started, it was in the forefront. But then it kept going and started to feel normal.
[/quote]

Also Middle Eastern violence is reported to the exclusion of other Middle Eastern stories. We get reporting on all aspects of our own country, a nuanced view of our neighbour countries and economic interests. Elsewhere violence, and (often violent) politics are most newsworthy. Without news of a countries day to day workings, we see violence as its day to day workings. Conflict doesn't necessarily have to be ongoing in a country for us to view it as a more savage place where violence is normal.