[Stratman]

One of the central problems with Islam is there is no central organization. For example, Catholics have the Pope, then Cardinals then Bishops etc.... In other words, Catholicism has a hierarchy.

Islam does not. Therefore, any Muslim who obtains a cult of personality can issue Fatwas (legal rulings) and have them stick.

As a result, there is no central Islamic political organization that can rally peaceful Muslims, thus giving them social, political and moral support.

[Luis Gonzalez]

What bin Laden is trying to do, IMHO, is to establish that central organization, in the case of Islam, a Caliphate.

How would someone like Usama bin Laden do that?

Well, he could instigate a world-wide conflict between the west and Muslims in general to make it appear as if the west was at war with Islam, which would compel the adherents to defend their religion.

Sound familiar?

The most effective way to combat Islamic fundamentalist terrorism is to separate it from the religion, and marginalize it.