Battle for the public mind

International terrorists bombed the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in August causing over 5,000 casualties including more than 260 deaths. Most were local citizens. The US responded with a barrage of cruise missiles at the suspected instigator's headquarters and a plant alleged to be his chemical weapons facility. In the same week domestic Irish terrorists exploded a car bomb in a crowded street in Omagh, 17 Catholics and 11 Protestants died. All were innocent passers-by. Soon afterwards the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said that he would not authorise the assassination of the perpetrators, implying that they were known. These contrasting reactions illustrate the inconsistency and immaturity of the liberal democratic response to terrorism.