But, once we place the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the broader political phenomenon of international terrorism, in the context of other historical tragedies in the past century, religion becomes an unlikely explanation.

Human Rights Watch Emergencies Director Peter N. Bouckaert told Syria Deeply in a June interview that kidnapping in specific began when fighting broke out in Aleppo, and developed and grown since then into a broader trend across many parts of Syria.

But, once we place the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the broader political phenomenon of international terrorism, in the context of other historical tragedies in the past century, religion becomes an unlikely explanation. It is here where the influence of nationalism becomes obvious.