Publication

This commentary argues that the terrorist bombings carried out by al-Qaida since the 11 September 2001 attacks have consistently generated less fear and garnered less attention among the general public. The authors state that the strategic effect of terrorism lies in its twin ability to attain publicity for a group's demands, and coerce governments through popular pressure driven by the creation of a political climate of fear. The authors provide indicators that show that the strategic value of terrorism is decreasing, and that the public is becoming acclimatized to the terror it is supposed to generate.