Peter K (Fionn) 13 May 04 - 09:31 PM, gives a number of examples of terrorism being neutralised:

Northern Ireland - Where the efforts of John Hulme and Seamus Mallin brought about the chain of events that led to the GFA and two referenda. One in Northern Ireland and another in both Eire and Northern Ireland. The results of which, in the former, clearly stated that the people of Northern Ireland expressed the wish that the future of Northern Ireland should be decided peacefully and politically, by the wish of the majority. In the latter, it showed by a resounding majority that the general concensus of the entire population of Ireland was that the use of violence to promote any political agenda, including the unification of Ireland, was not acceptable - i.e. the OIRA, PIRA, etc, had absolutely no mandate. The Nationalists/Republicans had a clear goal, it was therefore possible to negotiate because there was a basis. Factions such as the Real IRA and Continuity IRA, did not accept the situation and still continue "The Struggle" against the wishes and desires of the majority of people in Ireland.

South Africa - Again the ANC had a political agenda and a clear goal, therefore a negotiated settlement was possible and preferable to all parties involved.

Kenya - same again

Egypt/Israel - same again, although in this case factions within Egypt still do not accept the peace accord or the treaty signed.

Compare the clearly attainable aims, identifiable in the above examples to the declared aims of Al-Qaeda - where is the basis for negotiation?

By the bye, Peter name calling does nothing to promote the points you wish to make.

In the Stage Manager's post reference is made with regard to the practice of "demonising" and "dehumanising" your enemy. That may well have been generally true across the board in the past. In the two conflicts that I have experienced in my time in the services, from our (serving members of the armed forces) perspective and briefings, there was never any attempt, on the part of anyone, to either demonise or dehumanise our enemy, to do so is a grave mistake as it does lead to underestimation and overconfidence, which is then reflected in losses taken by your own side.