the conflict is because of a few psychotic individuals in positions of power. On my own street where I live, I am surrounded by a variety of different people with a myriad of beliefs and value systems.. yet we all get along just fine and no violence is initiated. There is a lot more to it than simply "differences" between people.
I'd say there could be just as much of a difference between me and another native American, as there would be between me and someone of a different race or from a different country.
Everything today shows us that what we have been doing for thousands of years, operating with the illusion that we can trust human beings with positions of authority to rule over their fellow human beings and that it will be ok because we can use "checks and balances" to make sure corruption doesn't come about -- has proved nothing but a farce.
Maybe one day we will embrace real freedom :)