To the reader: Before you start Chapter 1 , I want to share with you a short story. My hope is that you can develop some of the insight on terrorism that I gained from this little experience. You might already agree that, sometimes, the most profound things roll out of the mouths of our younger generation.

Recently, my wife and I were having dinner at a restaurant with family friends and had been discussing my research work on terrorism. While waiting for our meals to be served, our friend's young son, Michael, who had been coloring with the restaurant's toddler give-aways, looked at me and said,

"Mr. Adams, let's play a game. Let's play tic-tac-toe. "

I responded as he handed one of his colors to me, "OK, but I'm pretty good at this game", using my best tough-guy whisper. "You move first. "

Michael scribbled the tic tac toe box and made the first move with an 'X'.

I playfully glared at him and thought this might be more difficult than I originally imagined. I made my move by placing an 'O' opposite Michael's box.

Michael made another 'X',

and then, after exaggerated deliberation, I made my choice.

Michael grinned and said "I'm going to block you and then I'll win, " and so he did... or at least so he thought. He made his next selection.

Without hesitating, I inserted my final move.

With shock in his eyes, he looked up and said "Hey, you can't...