John O'Sullivan

About the author: John O'Sullivan is an editor at the National Review. His articles for the weekly magazine include "Sizing Up the Saudis," "Allegiances in a Multicultural Age," "Osama Outdated," and "Huddling with Terrorists."

The terrorists that orchestrated the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, had been educated in the West and exposed to American culture and privilege. Their experiences in the West served to highlight the contrast between America's prosperity and the Middle East's poverty and political strife. Western success angered the Muslims, who considered themselves God's chosen people. While some Muslims embrace Western ways, others— such as those who committed the attacks on America—condemn and challenge them.

The more we learn about the men who destroyed the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the more mysterious they...