Long ( 1-2 years plus) trip in planning to tour middle east

I have the rough sketch of my plan to go on a long hike through the middle east, starting in Macedonia, and ending in Tibet, in about 1.5 years. I have done some research before this, but would like some more opinions. My itinerary will be roughly as follows:

Macedonia - turkey, then following the mediterranean around to Egypt where I will spend some time. Then, back towards Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq (north to south), Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and finally India.

I will probably bring a few thousand dollars USD, and am not sure how far that will get me. I would be willing to work along the way, but am not sure if I could find any work as I dont speak any middle eastern languages. I would also be traveling by foot and hitchhiking, so I am very curious what there is to hear about that. Boat travel is also an option, but Id like to stay on the ground level as much as possible. I also know little about bribes, so information about that would be nice.

I dont mind foraging or hunting, though I understand that hunting would probably be illegal, though I could do it if need be. Ive done quite a bit of hiking and traveling before, have hiked mountain ranges and such.

What would you all suggest? Im fairly sure white Americans arent particularly liked in the area, but I may be wrong, because that is just how it is popularly thought to be.

Thanks

I can only talk about the Turkey part. I do not think that you willl have a problem here in Turkey. But If I were you, I would add some more areas in Turkey to see. Cappadocia forexample. I live in Istanbul, if you will come to our office when you arrive here, I can help you to built a much better route for turkey.
Omer

back towards Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq (north to south), Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and finally India.

Doesn't work. You cannot visit Israel and then go to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These countries would not let you in with an Israeli passport stamp.

BTW, I hope you know what you are doing, it is not exactly very safe to go to Iraq and Afghanistan right now. (Partly thanks to G.W. Bush.) Or did you miss that part of news?

Most people who want to go to India overland from Egypt go Egypt-Jordan-Syria-Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India.

Middle Eastern languages - there are only 4 important ones: Arabic, Turkish, Farsi and Urdu. Arabic would be the most useful to learn as it covers the most countries. I was able to talk to people in Iran using Arabic.

traveling by foot and hitchhiking

Difficult to do through the desert. Using the bus is the better and far safer option. If you feel you must do some leg work cycle touring would be more feasible.

Quoting t_maia

BTW, I hope you know what you are doing, it is not exactly very safe to go to Iraq and Afghanistan right now. (Partly thanks to G.W. Bush.) Or did you miss that part of news?

Its plain stupid to go there right now. Seabird, how do you get the idea to even go there. I know, it seems very cool and interesting but if you like your life, please forget this part.