Robert Pape, an academic whose work has been critically examined by professionals in the same or near similar fields, enough?
Maybe some still believe in the publication of evidence that has been collected and assessed, but in a world in which half truths, partial truths, the use of different contextual settings to belie the truth, his will draw much obscurantism and special pleading.

Why?

Well it sinks without trace the idea quoted by the trinity that there is a big Islamic bogy man out to either take our freedoms or set up a world wide Caliphate, using terrorism as the method for achieving this aim. Here set out is evidence that suicide attacks, responsible for most deaths, which in turn command the most attention are by secular groups. Sure there are some Islamic groups wishing for a caliphate, see Islam and the West By Akbarzadeh and Yasmeen UNSW press, just as there are some groups within the Christian Church wishing for the Apocalypse, but in the main, at present, Islam is rational and moderate. (Becoming less so?)

Much of the political stance of the coalition (and of the willing part, how similar they are, same text?) is based, justified by such a belief. The diminution of our freedoms ostensibly to protect us (or is it to get a minister off the hook should an attack occur?) and increase of engendered fear going together.

Some of what the Professor claims can be checked at www.tkb.org as can Howard’s claim of terrorism before Iraq, one or two, it is unclear.

There is a "big islamic bogey man" out there and he does want the world to be islamic - unfortunately. That is one reason - possibly the main one - these incredibly stupid suicide bombers foolishly sacrifice their lives. Only a complete bonehead would kill themselves for a smaller cause other than world domination. It has been said that the males do it for 70 perpetual virgins and 32 'pearls' or untouched hairless (pubic wise) boys. Are yes! their paradise is an X-rated one, except for the girls they just get to watch. Again only a retarded bonehead would suicide for that one would think. It is these "bogey" men that propel the stupid to slay themselves. That way they get rid of the complete idiots before they take over the world.These "bogey" men think nought of the idiots they indoctrinate with false hope and hatred. But that has always been the way in all societies. Can you imagine a world under pagan islam, I mean look at what these people have given to the world. There's er! then there's er, surely there must be something these pathetic pagans have added to the world. Of course hatred, death, torture, mutilation and destruction. We would do well to keep our eyes upon these lunatics in our midst. hooroo

Partially true Numbat I foolishly implied that none of the suicide attacks were made by Islamic fundamentalists, what I should have said was that a minority of such are perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalista, just as a minority of murders in the West are by antiabortoin non secular groups. Apart from that you obvioulsy are not prepared to accept other than your own view, this was my point honest scholarship is disbelieved derided in a world of conflict. Further those responsible, presumably protecting their own position will distort, etc the data.

QUOTE: "The anatomy of a suicide bomber"

That is a joke right? I mean locating the anatomy is half the forensic investigators challenge

Full marks to Keith Suter for one of the clearest and truest explanations of our simmering terrorist problems yet - without any wasted space. As an oldie among a group of young uni’ students in Sri-Lanka back in the early eighties, and also in Jaffna, we were later not surprised at the Tamil’s now long-standing terrorist actions against the arrogant Sri-Lankan Buddhists - also not surprised at the suicide bombing and killing of Mrs Gandhi’s son later, for sending Indian troops to Sri-Lanka to help the Sri-Lankan government fight the tenacious Tamil Tigers.

As Mubarak of Egypt has pointed out recently, though he is a virtual puppet of the US, the Islamist terrorist attacks particularly against the US and her close allies, can be related to the Middle East, as simply intrusion and injustice to a group of peoples, who had formerly been under oppression by the Ottoman Turks for hundreds of years. Yet after the defeat of Germany and Turkey in WW1, after a promise of freedom and democracy, they were sold out along with who is still regarded as our heroic Lawrence of Arabia. One historical figure, that makes you still proud to be connected to Britain.

Indeed, we Australians reckon we pride ourselves on a fair go, as Lawrence tried to do - yet right now we are helping with the same old Middle-East dirty set of tricks - promises of democracy and then the double-cross and American and British oil companies taking over - who are now in Iraq preparing to play the same old nefarious corporate tune. .

No wonder we are suffering from terrorism when we are all still steeped in 19th century-style economic imperialism, possibly at its worst, yet too blind to see it.

Apologies to Keith Suter, if my country language does not quite suit, yet hope the commentary can be of some help.

George C, WA - (Bushbred

What a confused and pathetic species Homo sapiens has become.We have achieved technologies beyond the grasp of our common intelligence.We have religions that conflict logically with scientific fact,yet cling to a religious father figure of intellectual irrationality.
I don't think we emotionally and intellectually are able to cope with this modern world.This means even more bad decisions will be made in the name of our religions.

There is no logic behind Suicide Terrorism.To raise your children to be martyrs to an idelogy of hate and destruction is the ultimate in parental narissism.

Why are we on such an urgent quest to our own destruction?The last I heard our Sun has a few billion years of energy left and we humans who have just decended from the trees are so arrogrant.

Why do we hurry such to our demise?
The universe of years, billions aged,
Has secrets for our children's surprise!!