I am not suggesting that critical reflection by the US government on this history and these grievances would remove the blame of 9/11 from al-Qaeda, nor do I condone in any way al-Qaeda’s ideology or tactics. I am suggesting that no effective plan to diminish the long-term threat of terrorism emerged in the months and years following 9/11 because the US government refused to take seriously how its own policies in the Middle East contributed to the conditions that gave rise to 9/11.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 267