Short: Radicals sowing civil conflict

This idea makes lots of sense: radicals like to create conflict. They thrive at times of disruption, and they often aim to create extra disruption, not just take advantage of disruption already occurring.

It's strange then that I saw only one article that applied this idea to the islamist-inspired killing rampage at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. What's the real reason for that attack?

"Al Qaeda wants to mentally colonize French Muslims, but faces a wall of disinterest. But if it can get non-Muslim French to be beastly to ethnic Muslims on the grounds that they are Muslims, it can start creating a common political identity around grievance against discrimination."

Sow a bunch of hate and violence, and then feed off of the result. This might be a successful strategy for radical groups like Al-Queda and ISIS. So far, however, the French don't seem to be taking the bait, at least not in substantial numbers. The goal of turning the French violently against their Muslim population may not be achieved.

That's a good reflection on France, that they won't meet violence with revenge against those not involved. If only that idea would spread to the Middle East, then the sectarian bombings and wars might cease.

Coming together, not splitting apart

 Image: abcnews.go.com