Desperate, impotent fools, the only power they have is the power we some of us give them (being intimidated/frightened). They can never win otherwise, and will be hunted down.
Gingrich delivered a very powerful assessment; he spoke of the couple willing to kill their 6 month old infant, and the challenge these people present to us. I don't care for Gingrich, but I agree w/the message. We have to stop going to war in a limited fashion. If you go, finish it quickly. If not, don't go. We give up the edge otherwise.
Bernard Lewis always mentions that Bin Laden considered the US as the weaker of the two super powers. The former Soviet Union being the other one. The soviets dealt with things very swiftly where as the US doesn't.