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>>Errr... the common denominator is that people were killed. And if you're not willing to dig deeper into the events than finding a common denominator (like you're implying religion) you're never able to understand the underlying causes and effectively do something about it. And if we don't start trying to understand, we'll create another disaster like in Iraq and Syria.
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>Well, you obviously know my view. So now it's your turn - what are the underlying causes, and what can be effectively done about it?

Well lets begin with the fact that the borders of many countries in the middle east were determined by the British (and French?) with a ruler and a pencil rather than by looking at ethnic groups living in that area and force those nations to act homogenous.

If the above does not succeed you put dictator puppets as leaders of those nations.

Until, of course at some point those puppets have plans of their own and you have to intervene.

You forgot about the ethnic groups and you only realize the nation is falling apart when it is too late, because you have eliminated the dictator that was about the only person able to keep things together.

Even worse, you try to bring democracy in a country with absolutely no history of democracy. Long suppressed groups begin to fight each other.

Because the significant interest in the natural resources (oil) its absolutely no problem to get at money to get at arms.

Add the deep hatred against the western world, also fueled by the propaganda of the removed dictator, to the young uneducated population and the availability of arms and money, and you've got a war looming.

Then add the attraction of IS to young kids without education living in European getho's who fall between the western and Islamic world and you've got a reasonable recruit for muslim fundamentalism to fight a holy war in a foreign country. Upon their return they are excellent candidates for terroristic attacks from within.

And here we are because of political blunders from present and past.


Of course this is in a nutshell. I'm sure your view is a lot more nuanced than mine. Your turn.