In an interesting Foreign Policy article on the role that history textbooks can play in shaping or even causing international disputes, we find this, from our best close ally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Did Saudi textbooks cause 9/11?
Probably not. But given that 15 of the 19 hijackers in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 attacks were Saudis, Americans seeking to explain the tragedy set their sights on the Gulf state’s extraordinarily intolerant school primers. A 2006 Freedom House report raised concerns that these books instructed students to shun unbelievers, with one 12th grade text even urging youths to wage violent jihad. The United States called for urgent revisions, and the late King Abdullah said they’d get right on it. But a 2013 State Department report on the U.S. ally found that “intolerant content remained, even in revised textbooks, including justification for the social exclusion and killing of Islamic minorities and ‘apostates.’” It added that “the textbooks also stated treachery was a ‘permanent characteristic’ of non-Muslims, especially Jews, propagated conspiracy theories that international organizations such as Masons support Zionism, and presented historical forgeries, such as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, as fact.”
So, yeah, good history textbooks that strive for fairness and accuracy are important.
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 