But since then it has become a challenge to the authority of the government and a protest against the dismal economic prospects, rampant discrimination and heavy-handed policing that the youth in the suburbs suffer.

that's from the article.
thia has nothing to do w/ iraq or terrorism.
we've all heard about the major fires that have broken out in over-populated housing over the past year.
this is a bout people being pissed at the french authorities.
one mention in that article about muslims, and the immediate assumption is that the violence is about the war in iraq.