Islamic frustration

Certainly nothing can justify the terror attacks being carried out repeatedly by Islamic militants. But it would be good if the media would stop interviewing retired generals for a while and bring in some historians. If we do not even give a second look to the frustrations of the Muslim world, we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

The Ottoman Empire lasted for six centuries. By 1600, it stretched from Hungary to Egypt. Takeover by the West began with Napoleon when he conquered Egypt in 1798. (The British took over in 1882.) From about 1850 until the early 20th century, Europe lorded over every Muslim country but Arabia, Turkey and Iran. The French took northern and western Africa. The British controlled India. The Dutch dominated Indonesia.

Then came the home-grown (or US-supported) dictators to further enrage the Muslim in the street. (Remember the Shah?) And in the land called "holy," the desperation of Palestinian youth has grown every day for years and years. Finally, we see the results of Bush's attack and occupation of Iraq, a country that was not a seedbed for international terrorism but now has become just that.

Muslim frustration and anger is almost cosmic. One example: Pakistan has 151 million people. Half of them support Osama Bin Ladin.

Peace is far from visible on the horizon, but Western understanding of the roots of the rage can start us on our way there.