I just noticed this and wanted to confirm. Is Dune based on the proxy wars in the Middle East?
House Atreides = US/UK
House Harkonnen = Russia
Arrakis = Middle East
Spice = Oil
it might get political but i wouldnt worry about it. i have read the book and i have also had lengthy discussions regarding this with my family. its a little complicated but i can say that there are far too many references to the religion of Islam in the story for it not to be a coincidence. even down to the words used to reference the supernatural phenomena are arabic (lisan al gaib etc etc) and the fremen seem to represent muslims so by saying arrakis is inspired by the middle east isnt a stretch at all.