As in most political conflicts, there is a way to divide sides that both explains the conflict and solves it.

If instead of dividing the two sides into a) radical Muslim and b) western or secular, the two sides are divided according to the sustainability (or maturity) of their beliefs then the fight becomes much closer and more ominous.

This means that there is one side, consisting largely of younger people from all the countries involved, that has the belief that they are defending a "god" against some threat that they uniquely understand. On the other side are generally older people more interested in the practicalities of life.

The two sides can roughly be defined by age, but also more accurately by the basic values taught in each of the religions involved in this war. As a general rule younger people use the blunt edge of a religion while older people are more inclined to spirituality. A younger person will enforce their values on the world while an older person exercises virtues in the world.

Looking at the War on Terror in terms of both experience vs youth and western vs oriental there may be a problem ahead for western countries.