"Yes, Al Qaeda (or someone) definitely tried numerous attacks on the USA prior to 911, but they had very definite historical reasons for doing so."

Most certainly Al-Qaeda Little Hawk - they admitted responsibility for the attacks mentioned. And yes according to Osama bin Laden they did have very definite historical reasons for attacking the USA - but considering that the first Al-Qaeda attack on the USA was in 1993 maybe "historical" is the wrong word to use. Osama bin Laden's main grievance held against the USA? The fact that when threatened by Saddam Hussein in 1990 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia turned to the International Community fordefence rather than accept Osama bin Laden's offer of using his "Mujahideen". Osama bin Laden was a rich little Saudi - and rich little Saudi's have never given a damn about Palestine, or anyone else - mind you it does come in handy as an excuse and it "plays well" in the "muslim world". Osama bin Laden's view of the world "as it should be", i.e. the establishment of a worldwide Islamic Caliphate under Sharia law through Jihad, is what drove him and his organisation - nothing else.

Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi succeeded to the throne of Persia in 1941, which means that your contention that he was placed there by the CIA and MI6 in 1953 complete and utter rubbish. It is not odd at all that you concentrate on US involvement in the downfall of Mosaddegh, whilst completely ommitting any mention of the Soviet backed Iranian Tudeh Party. If memory serves me correctly the Shah introduced a series of economic, social and political reforms with the stated intention of transforming Iran into a global power and modernizing the nation by nationalizing industries and granting women suffrage. Since the fall of the Shah Iran has gone backwards on all fronts. Again if memory serves me correctly Iran still maintained its parliamentary rule after 1953.

"I'm not at all sure that Al Qaeda was the principle actor in the various World Trade Center attacks"

That is rather an odd position to take seeing as KSM admitted it. That admission being backed up by supporting evidence and intelligence gathered from and by others.

"the vast majority of victims from the fallout of that plan have [been? fallen?] amongst Muslim populations. That's not surprising."

Not surprising at all - but you completely fail to mention that the the bulk of muslim deaths have been caused by Muslims killing Muslims - they tend to be very good at doing that and historically they always have been.

"If there is an Al Qaeda, it was American and UK policies that gave it a reason to exist."

Ehmmm No - try the Soviets, their invasion of Afghanistan, the Balkans, the breakup of Yugoslavia and Chechnya.