I'm sure there will be those here who immediately dismiss every word because of its source, or because they come across one sentence/word they disagree with, but objective readers will see that North has some valid points.
If history has taught us anything, it has taught us that we must understand our enemy - understand his thinking, his culture, his society.
Many impassioned individuals are screaming how "We don't need to understand why they did this! We need to kill them!"
Wars are one first by proper planning.
Planning rely's on information.
Understanding 'why', is to understand our enemy.
To understand our enemy, is to advance halfway to victory already.
The question is what will actually cause the leaders of these countries to take action?
Historically fear has worked. Waiting for the Taliban to react to "embarrassment"? Where is the historical precedent to support this pleasant pipe dream?