Critics of present efforts by the West point out that the root causes of the struggle, past western imperialism and political intervention, US support of Israel and general economic underdevelopment in the MidEast, must be addressed to ensure a lasting victory.

Most of these rationales are smoke blown by Middle Eastern leaders to move the blame around. If you look at the writings of the terrorist leaders over the past ten years, their reasons for attacking us are legion, with ancient grudges drawn from all over the world. If we had thrown Israel off the bus, it would have been something else.

Economic underdevelopment? The Middle East CRAPS wealth. That is doesn't get to the poor is not America's fault, or Israel's. I'm in the aerospace business, and keep up with the literature. When somebody converts a jumbo jet into a private luxury plane, everyone knows who the big customers are.

I haven't looked for a while, so I can't guarantee this, but last time I did, aid to the Palestinians from the U.S., and especially Europe, dwarfed that provided by Middle Eastern nations.