... of followers and some degree of approval from millions more? The history, culture, and body of beliefs from which Bin Ladin has shaped and spread his... ...onvert to Islam, and end the immorality and godlessness of its society and culture:“It is saddening to tell you that you are the worst civ- ilization ... ...ls led most independence movements, and clerical influence and traditional culture were seen as obstacles to national progress. After gaining independ... ...d little if any attention to the rest of the world’s thought, history, and culture.The secular education reflected a strong cultural preference for te... ...ng the Soviet occupation.This assistance was funneled through Pakistan:the Pakistani military intelligence service (Inter- Services Intelligence Direc... ...cross Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It also aided a Pakistani group engaged in insurrectionist attacks in Kashmir. In mid-1991,... ...om the 1970s onward, religion had become an increasingly powerful force in Pakistani politics.After a coup in 1977, military leaders turned to Islamis... ...ally unwelcome—population of Afghan refugees; and since the badly strained Pakistani education system could not accommo- date the refugees, the govern... ...s might give Pakistan greater security on one of the several borders where Pakistani military officers hoped for what they called “strategic depth.” 6...