The use of terrorism has evolved in response to new technology, new targets and new counter-terrorist laws. At the very least, September 11th demonstrated that these particular terrorists that we knew best over the past three decades. .
Kegley points out three new myths since September 2001. Myth one: Terrorism is random and lacks specific direction. After September 11th, there is no doubt that those attacks were random and terrifying. However, the reality is that it is purposeful and involves selectivity in its execution. More specifically, terrorists develop their modus operandi based on where they come from, who supports them, who their enemies are, what their chances for success are, and a bunch of other tactical and strategic considerations. The twin towers symbolized more than anything else "globalization." It challenges traditional society and social relationships. The World Trade Center was symbolic of that globalization. .
Myth two: Governments always oppose nongovernmental terrorism that leads to miscalculations about who would be terrorist actors and the relations among them. To engage in a "war" against all such support for as well the use "terrorism," the United States will need to convince states not only to end their support for all forms of terrorism but also to cease their acquiescence to those acts that serve what are often conceived of as in the U.S. national interest, quite useful. .
Myth three: The source of contemporary political terrorism may be found in the evil of one or two major actors. The most important lessons we can continue to draw from the actions of all al-Qaeda that there are no simple solutions; that the political targets and the potential perpetrators are in the millions. It is impossible to completely remove the threat of terrorism. .
