Quote Originally Posted by Somebody Else
It shouldn't be too hard to take both the castle type settlements next to Jerusalem, or indeed the two near Antioch as well. These are much more amenable to being ruled - not quite so much unrest, plus they provide a handy base from which to go and sack Jerusalem/Antioch whenever they happen to revolt, providing a rather handy cash injection.

When it comes to dominating an area of the map, that's what castles are for, so take them and dominate. Forget about the cities, they're just there to provide money. Don't get hung up on maintaining public order, this isn't some namby-pamby social service game... The people are there to be exploited, in any way possible.
Right On!

Keep the castles, burn the cities, milk the Egyptians, take the cities when your ready.