AL,
Good points on your post. This really re-enforces a past post:
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...t=iraqi+caught
It seems that most of those caught are hard liners that have a few individuals that were coerced into doing the foreigners bidding. Likely influenced by holding families hostage (old reports confirm it happened) or a lack of jobs flooding the terrorist recruit market.
The scariest part about having a one centralized head to the Islamist movement is not the fact that all are united, but what happens when you shatter the head and clear leadership is not defined. Kind of like having a rogue state with no borders.
I think historically personal agendas have kept these groups separate but they have found strength in blending the lines of nationality. Again you'll still see an Arab at the head calling the shots. The fallout from not having a born Arab Islamist at the top making the big decision would cause it to ultimately lose popularity. Jihadists are born everyday, converts just fill the gaps and carry the fundamentalist principals. Islam is great religion and those that are true islamists will not condone the barbaric acts we now see daily.
Will true islamists take up a cause to counter the disease within their own ranks? That's the only way to be successful in the GWOT.
That is when the ethnic rift will hit critical mass.