I believe Berg sent his son to Iraq hoping something like the situation that actually occured would happen. His son had no business being there and was on his way to the airport to leave when he was captured. Berg's reaction from the start was strange, like he wanted a martyr to further his pacifist cause. The poor kid was bait for his father's twisted ideals.
Most every one that posts here would never stick their head on a knife knowing their children would follow them in death. That's why we are "prepared" (OK, armed to the teeth) to protect ourselves and those we love. When someone acts as unnatural as Michael Berg, you know something is rotten.
Normally I would say such a suggestion is nuts, but I don't think it's at all far-fetched in the case of the Bergs. This guy is just not rational.
Michael Berg would have been ignored by society and the media had his son not been murdered ...and he loves it! He has no moral authority, but his son's views do as he (Nick) died to assert them. Nick Berg may have been foolish to travel to Iraq, but his motivation to bring prosperity to the Iraqis was noble.