Monkey, I think there is an argument that the Saudis and Americans, in cahoots with Pakistan, funded and initiated the war with Russia in Afghanistan. It was sold as a jihad for recruiting and whipping them into the appropriate motivational state to take them on and boot them out of Afghanistan. One might argue the Saudis were more responsibility for the ideological approach than we were, but it appears it was a joint plan. As a result of the jihad, tens of thousands from all around the ME were 'radicalized' and ended up staying that way, not to mention spreading their ideology and teachings further, esp. in Afghanistan and Pakistan (and the Pashtuns of Afghanistan were taught in taliban madrassas in Pakistan).
I also agree with you that this is not anywhere near the sole factor, but I think it was a contributing factor.
Good example with the Crusades. Can't blame it on any war undertaken against Muslims. Not to go to war with Muslims to avoid provoking more Muslims is appeasement and it's nuts! Give them an inch, they'll take a mile. And the strong horse wins.
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