this simmering conflict between the center
and the periphery. As a result, Americans have never been clear as to where al
Qaeda ends and where the tribe begins and why they resort to violence. Instead
they have viewed central governments as the only legitimate source of authority
and force, while ignoring all reports of the loutish and sadistic behavior of the
center’s soldiers, preferring to deal with Hosni Mubarak as representing all of
Egypt and Pervez Musharraf all of Pakistan.