[tod222]

> Surely there are successful terrorist plots that have succeeded that we are unaware of.

No. Terrorists even take credit for things they had nothing to do with. The goal of a terrorist is to strike fear into the population by committing crimes in the most public way possible. Secrecy of the result doesn't serve this goal. The other reason to publicize is for recruiting purposes.

We certainly know the number of successful plots. Failed plots and fizzles, perhaps not.

[bcook]

Terrorists are incapable of misdirection? I think you are over-simplifying the intent of the terrorists...

[Qwertious]

Sounds like you need to read up on the actual intent of terrorists: http://www.gwern.net/Terrorism%20is%20not%20about%20Terror

[bcook]

Thanks for the link (I love gwern). Terrorist organizations are always evolving though. For example, the ongoing PR campaign by ISIS. The PR is creating terrorists but there is never a singular attack. I would say the PR campaign is successful, but many people are unaware of it, compared to 9/11.

My point is, terrorism is not exclusively a single, concentrated moment of terror. Some terrorist plots are more subtle and long-term.