his standing among young men looking for an example of Islam could be diminished . Ken Ballen : The alleged Boston Marathon bombers were influenced by Islamic ideology . Ballen : They had been radicalized in the United States, but they also traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan before returning home for more training. He says young men who convert to Islamic extremism often have deep personal crisis . Ballen : Ideas drive the radical Islamist movement ; ideas can also defeat it .
Ken Ballen : The alleged Boston Marathon bombers were influenced by Islamic ideology . Ballen : They had been radicalized in the United States, but they also traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan before returning home for more training. He says young men who convert to Islamic extremism often have deep personal crisis . Ballen : Ideas drive the radical Islamist movement ; ideas can also defeat it .