Rob,

Whilst I appreciate the world view many on SWC have is American I strongly feel the heart of the matter is at home. I do not mean internal / homeland security, but a national decision to oppose AQ and its allies - along with its ideology and take action.

The USA / Canada may currently have a secure homeland, elsewhere it is non-existent (Afghanistan), fragile (Iraq & Pakistan) and vulnerable to a tiny home-grown minority (parts of Western Europe). The sixth point below for the later group gains in importance.

Taken from another thread, courtesy of Wilf and an ex-IDF general; six points:

1) A political decision to defeat terrorism, stated explicitly and clearly to the security forces, and the willingness to bear the political cost of an offensive.
2) Acquiring control of the territory in and from which the terrorists operate.
3) Relevant intelligence.
4) Isolating the territory within which the counterterrorist fighting takes place.
5) Multi-dimensional cooperation between intelligence and operations.
6) Separating the civilian population from the terrorists.

davidbfpo