#1: Ask to talk to someone who is currently doing that job or something similar that is an American citizen AND that has their family stationed there. Make SURE you get a hold of someone that's been there longer than a year. I would make this a FIRM condition of employment consideration.
#2: I felt fairly safe in UAE and Kuwait is a bit similar from what I hear. Throwing a family into the mix in terms of a living situation there could change my mind, however. Tough call there.
#3: F**k the money aspect for starters; don't let it lead your decision and that's exactly what it sounds like is leading you right now. Consider saftey, quality of life (for your family and yourself), quality of education and entertainment, THEN look at the money. I've turned down positions paying 3x as much as what I make now due to the "demands" that would be placed on me and my wife in terms of relocation.
#4: DO NOT THINK OF FOREIGN ASSIGNMENTS AS A VACATION!!!!!!! I can't count the number of people that think this way and end up absolutely hating their stay in foreign countries, as the job keeps them from doing a lot of the fun things up front.
I've worked/lived in Europe and Mexico in the past (so has the wife), as well as done a tremendous amount of travel (some in the Middle-East) so if you want a marginally educated perspective, PM me or post. I don't know how much more I could provide past what I have, but surprise me with a question or two.
