[whorleater]

Isn't that the same point that Kuipers talks about with:

> However, violent actions taken in the name of defense against terrorism are very likely to increase the likelihood and magnitude of future terrorist attacks. We need a combination of short-term vigilance and protection, and long-term efforts to reduce the problems that breed terrorism, both in non-violent ways.

Saying that negotiation with terrorists is a lost cause is true to an extent, but Kuipers doesn't advocate standing back and doing nothing at all. Acting overtly hawkish doesn't help anyone either.

[avukich]

Good point. The question is how do we deal with this extremism. The people that are involved in this clearly don't value any human life (even their own) and it seems clear that certain governments use this fanaticism to their advantage (e.g. Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.). As of this moment, a lot of "military" funding goes toward trying to answer this question. It isn't all about building bombs and other weapons, but also in detecting those involved in terrorist activities and putting a stop to it before they can carry out their plans. I will never support cutting funding to such research.