Do these Islamist terrorists really think these kind of actions are going to accomplish their goals?

[Anonymous]

[NamerOfStars]

Yes- but perhaps not directly. It's not "THIS strike will finally destroy the decadent [whoever they're opposed to this week]!"; it's "eventually, we'll wear down their willingness to fight, and they'll give in".

It's rather like the Japanese in WW2. They thought that the US was like Czarist Russia; that we were decadent and rich, corrupted by jazz music and interracial breeding (in terms of racism, Imperial Japan made Nazi Germany look like modern-day Brazil), and so without the stomach for a real fight. They thought we'd fold like napkins. So did Bin Laden.

[DryGermanGuy]

I am wondering about this myself. Militarily, they can't win in the long run, not even in the medium run. The only semi-explanations I have, they are trying to exact a high price from Israel (Israeli abductees against Arabic prisoners) or going down in a blaze of martyr glory trying to do so. I guess after a certain point of destruction there will be negotiations, then we will see the complete picture (twisted as it may be).

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't think they even have a goal. It's kind of like a dog licking his own nuts.

[jahaims]

No, they just blow thereselves up for fun.