I think you sumed it up pretty squarely. The main instigator in Jihadism is US foriegn policy. Support of Isreal, troops in Muslim lands, support of dictatorial leaders, propping up the Saudi royals, Stealing the resourses, (the people don't see any of the oil money, only the opressive leaders). If you looked at the US from their perspective, you would probably feel the same way, Don't forget, these Jihadists are for the most part extremely poor and desperate, so their life doesn't seem like much compared to the rewards of martyrdom. Hell, 72 Virgins sounds like a lot of work to me, but to a desparate poor person, it probably sounds pretty good!