increasing population of young men without any reasonable expectation of
suitable or steady employment--a sure prescription for social turbulence. Many
of these young men, such as the enormous number trained only in religious
schools, lacked the skills needed by their societies. Far more acquired valuable
skills but lived in stagnant economies that could not generate satisfying jobs.
world's thought, history, and culture.The secular education reflected a strong
cultural preference for technical fields over the humanities and social sciences.
Many of these young men, even if able to study abroad, lacked the perspective
and skills needed to understand a different culture.
starting families of their own, some of these young men were easy targets for
radicalization.
Most Muslims prefer a peaceful and inclusive vision of their faith, not the
violent sectarianism of Bin Ladin.Among Arabs, Bin Ladin's followers are com-
monly nicknamed takfiri, or "those who define other Muslims as unbelievers,"
because of their readiness to demonize and murder those with whom they dis-
agree. Beyond the theology lies the simple human fact that most Muslims, like
most other human beings, are repelled by mass murder and barbarism what-
ever their justification.
lion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of
every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate."
extreme, fundamentalist traditions as his match.All these elements--including
religion--combined in an explosive compound.
symbols faded. He could stand as a symbol of resistance--above all, resistance
to the West and to America. He could present himself and his allies as victori-
ous warriors in the one great successful experience for Islamic militancy in the
1980s: the Afghan jihad against the Soviet occupation.
did not go far enough.They had not taken on what he called "the head of the
snake."