As mentioned in another thread, Bin Laden and Bush both need each other. Bush needs that ambiguous enemy to distract from his failed presidency, and he plays his part well in being the western bogeyman that Islamic terrorists need to whip up the fervor among their recruits. Curiously, neither "side" needs to do much more of consequence. As also mentioned, periodic leaks of "intent" from the terrorists is sufficient to cause the US to scramble in all sorts of costly ways.

And even if no more terrorists are ever caught, these periodic alerts, whether based on actual current information or not are sufficient to keep us focused on fear to the exclusion of all the other things that are either not happening that should or happening that shouldn't be.

I am afraid that I do not see any way out of this that involves any of the current players.