Actually (and this may be a campfire forum topic) this sort of terrorism cannot work, because it has no clear aims.

For example, the IRA acheived something, because we understood what they wanted. Whether we can or will give it to them. or what the terms should be is another matter, but if you understand that, then the opportunity for some type of settlement exists.

With 9/11, 7/7 etc, we are seeing a collection of individuals with a broad 'anti-western' agenda. But no clear demands or goals per se, just a lose collection of grievances. They kill, cause fear and disruption, but there is no clear goal.

So even if we wanted to negotiate, we can't. And they can't win in terms of firepower. So we reach an unhappy stalemate. They snipe, we defend and retaliate. But no one wins until we start talking.

I just find this massively frustrating - I have no time for terrorists, and fully condemn their actions. But if half the energy they expended on violence was spent promoting co-operation and harmony - that would be a beautiful thing