[Fnoord]

> They want to scare people, that is all.

Yes, they do, but not merely in the direct way.

If the government fears its civilians and becomes a police state, the terrorists succeed.

[Spooky23]

Oh course. Asymmetric warfare is usually successful.

We’re trying to swat flies with World War 2 armies. The US has been in a war state for so long there is no actual condition that will result in victory, and we have undermined the institutions of civil government with no tangible benefit.