The threat of nuclear (or chemical, or biological) annihilation is hanging over our heads every day, except now the opponents aren't available to negotiate, and have no fear of, indeed have an overt desire for, mutually assured destruction.
I don't feel that way. Maybe it was the vulnerability of youth or the exaggerated shadow cast by the villainous Soviet Union, but that threat seemed more real to me than the fulminating chatter of a tribe of malcontents with diapers on their heads. I doubt they can manage another strike with any of the effect of 9/11, and I fully expect that if they do, even this milquetoast country will have the balls to drop the PC soft-sell and go after them in earnest.
Another "success" for them could well spell the end of Islam as they know it. And the world could rejoice.