[Cicero]

I assume that Dune is based partly on the Muslim historian Ibn Kaldun's (sp?) theory that primitive desert cultures are strong but when they use this power to conquer a civilization they quickly grow decadent, effete, and weak.

Paul Muadib rallies the tough desert people against the effete empire in "Dune," the only really good novel in the series, IMHO.

I don't think the parallel holds. Bin Ladin thinks of himself as tough and strong, no doubt, but he is in fact the rich product of a bunch of thoroughly spoiled Saudis. Plus, of course, he's not a messiah.

[Cicero]

Let me correct the spelling. It's Ibn Khaldun, and there's a web site on him at http://salam.muslimsonline.com/~azahoor/khaldun.html.
It's been a while since I read his book.