From everything I've read I'd say that the riots are caused by a number of factors. The French (like many other European nations) need cheap labor, and after WWII started allowing immigration from N Africa into their country. Rather than assimilate the newcomers American-style, they shunned them and only used them for their work. Likewise, the immigrants showed little desire to become part of French society.
Fast forward to today. The current generation of "youths" have become radicalized. They may not have a good grasp of theological concepts, but they do romanticize their old "homeland" and UBL etc.
In addition, as you point out, there is a high crime rate in these Muslim neighborhoods, much of which is controlled by organized gangs. It must be pointed out, though, that these gangs are traditional criminal, not religious, in nature. This is all fueled by high unemployment and a dismissive attitude by most native French people.
The "youths" themselves do not seem to be directly driven by Islam, but more use it as a rallying cry for their frustrations.
I really don't think you can blame Islam alone for the riots in France. It's more a case of rising expectations coupled with other factors, somewhat similar to the riots in the US in the late '60s (I'm not talking about the anti-war protests but the urban riots in black neighborhoods).
So it's not a jihad going on in France, but neither can we ignore the Muslim extremism that helps drive it.
Now, don't get me wrong. I think the French government has reacted in precisely the wrong way. Rather than "increase subsidies and job training", ie all the standard liberal nostrums, they ought to send in massive numbers of police to put the riots down. Actually, they should have done this on day one.
Commenting by HaloScan
