New FBI terrorist warning: Your reactions

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Terrorists have reached their limits

Sadeque, Eygpte

Terrorists have reached their limits. I don't believe that they can carry out more harmful attacks. We are exaggerating their capabilities. I am sure that most Islamic militants are reviewing their positions and begin to realize that they are making a lot of harm to all Muslims.
Sadeque, Eygpte

In response to Paul Sammons fears of living in Dubai. I consider Dubai to be the safest place in the Middle East if not the world. Having lived here for 3 years I cannot honestly say that I have witnessed much increase in security, if any at all. I feel much safer here than I did in London, even after the atrocities of the September 11th attacks. Can you suggest a safer place to get on and enjoy life?
Andy, Expat in Dubai, UAE.

I am English, living in Dubai with my wife and two young daughters. This morning I heard about a drive-by shooting in Kuwait. This worries me greatly. I am having second thoughts about travelling safely around the town. Dubai is usually very safe, but we are feeling rather threatened. So far we have not seen any trouble, but we know that the local police are on a state of alert. I guess we have to get used to living in fear. I hate to give in to the terror threats, but self-preservation leads me to think that we are better to restrict our lifestyles for the foreseeable future.
Paul Sammons, UAE

American policy must be revisited, but not in the wake of these terrorist acts.

Heidi, USA

These events only opened eyes that were shut within America's borders. But I can tell you that I always feared we would be a target. Now I am amongst like-minded ones. The world simply cannot exist with a growing divide between the destitute and helpless and the affluent. American policy must be revisited, but not in the wake of these terrorist acts.
Heidi, USA

I am proud to say that I am a Muslim, but I am ashamed of the picture that Osama Bin Laden has created about Islam. Islam is the religion which teaches to love human beings, and to give freedom to non-Muslims to worship at their own way of style, There is no example in the history of Islam which says to kill non-Muslims or innocent people, even during the presence of Holy Prophet Muhammad, he allowed the non-Muslims to worship at their own religion without any fear or terror.

I ask all those who believe in Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden, which sort of Islam do they believe, the Islam of Mullah Omar & Osama bin Laden which is based at their own ideology or the Islam of Holy Prophet Muhammad? If you believe in the Islam of Mullah Omar and Osama Bin Laden, then you are not Muslims any more.
M F Bajwa, Pakistan

The excuses may change, but the impulse to kill remains the same.

Henry Case, UK

We are no more of a target than we were a week ago. The excuses may change, but the impulse to kill remains the same.
Henry Case, UK

Osama claims that America feels fear from its east to its west and from the north to the south? Funny, but we are not the ones who are hiding in a cave right now. I do not fear them or anyone else for that matter. Every American will resist and deter any attempt on another airline hijack, rest assured Osama!
Bryon Ruelas, US

"The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself" Hello? We call them terrorists for a reason. Their main weapon isn't that they often do a lot of damage. Most of the time their plans go awry or fail. Their weapon is the fear that YOU will be the next victim. In this, the American media is their best ally in the irresponsible way they keep reporting things without having all the facts and play on people's fears in order to get higher ratings. To be afraid is to be a victim of terrorism. I refuse to be a victim. In the case of the media, it reminds me of the story of the little boy who cried wolf.
Liz, USA

The sense of security is strong as it relates to our bonds with Europe and our close allies.

Jason Burgamy, Nashville, USA

Living in a large city, although not a likely terrorist target, I do not feel unsafe. There is however, sense of apprehension. Despite the apprehension, the sense of security is strong as it relates to our bonds with Europe and our close allies. Neither the terrorists, nor most Americans, could not have imagined the unbelievable support that Europe, Canada, Japan, etc. would demonstrate.

Some of the most touching moments of the thousands that have been shown in the US media have involved the reborn love between Europe and the US. Playing the US national anthem at the Changing of the Guard ceremony was extraordinarily touching. On behalf of all Americans: we appreciate the outpouring of good will from Europe, especially Great Britain and France. We humbly apologize for not realizing how strong our bond with Europe is.
Jason Burgamy, Nashville, USA

My most fearful time will be in a 6 or 7 months when the government starts to bring down the level of checks and police presence

Andrew Makinson, UK

I feel no safer than I have done the whole of my life. The fact that everybody is on high alert for the foreseeable future means that the 'evil' will not try anything until everything calms down. My most fearful time will be in a 6 or 7 months when the government starts to bring down the level of checks and police presence. This is when we will be at most risk.

And another thing, what is Tony Blair doing flying around all over the place, in the world's hot spots when he should be safe back in London? Do you see President bush taking any risks? No he stays cooped up in his oval office or at Camp David. Blair is doing the skivvie work to the big boss.
Andrew Makinson, UK

I feel more unsafe at facing the draft, than at the hands of potential terrorist attacks
sean murray, USA

I was feeling OK until yesterday when I read something on a news website (not the BBC!) that has somewhat unnerved me. It was basically giving info on the absolute devastation to Britain (& maybe other parts of Europe) if a certain site was destroyed by a hijacked plane. The terrorists have probably already decided on the best sites to attack, but there may have just been a chance that they hadn't thought of that one - thanks to that website, they will know about it now! This sort of sensationalism reporting really worries me.
Annie, UK

I firmly believe that Americans should be strong and not be intimidated by terrorist threats. This translates into going about one's business with simply an added alertness. I just got back from vacation in Italy and felt almost patriotic about traveling in light of the attacks. I refuse to be frightened by cowards and I certainly refuse to have my life put on hold by them.
Ryan O'Gara, Washington, DC - USA

The one certainty we can depend on in this life is that we're going to die. Most people seem to forget that. Any day on this planet could be your last, so why worry about the latest threat to your safety? We live in a world full of danger. You should worry far more for the soldiers who are going to be coming out of Afghanistan in bodybags, if the 'coalition' deploys conventional ground forces there......
James McNaughton, UK

I am not naive to my country's foreign policy and I understand that we have blood on our hands

Derek Schmidt, USA

I am not naive to my country's foreign policy and I understand that we have blood on our hands. But we Americans are so isolated from the rest of the world, when things happen elsewhere we think: "It's them, not us." Hopefully we have a better understanding of how others in the world feel now. More than fear, I feel sad. Because no one should have to think about dying a horrible, violent death when we should be thinking about the lives we have ahead of us. The psychological dynamic of a chemical or biological attack is so much more frightening than any car bomb or plane hijacking, and it has gotten the better of me at times.
Derek Schmidt, USA

On the one hand Bush says he will destroy all the terrorists in the world and on the other hand he is terrorising the poorest people on this planet with the help of the whole world. Today he says he will continue to support Israel no matter what they do. I don't understand his policy. Are all his allies stupid? Do they support him blindly or are they scared of American's military might?
Patil, UK

Many people seem to oppose President Bush's harsh words towards al-Qaeda, saying that it is hypocritical to bring such strong words to such a loosely organized group of terrorists. Again they seem to forget what these "loosely organized terrorists" did. I'll remind you again. They killed almost 6,000 Americans. End of story.
Will, USA

This face-saving warning is just to avoid criticism in the future, if there are further attacks. The USA must make some much-needed changes in its foreign policy.
Manish, India

Mr Bush speaks of al-Qaeda as some sort of Nazi-like threat

Mike, London, UK

On one hand Mr Bush speaks of the importance of living life as an American and everybody going about doing what they do naturally, on the other he speaks of al-Qaeda as some sort of a Nazi-like threat, of it having a presence in 68 countries and being the source of evil around the world. Where were you before 11th September, dear President? This small bunch of terrorists based in some remote part of Afghanistan have struck terror in the heart of American psyche and the military might. It's sad to see the President speaking of such a small loosely-grouped organisation in such a manner.
Mike, London, UK

Terrorism is nothing new. When people stop taking flights in case that flight gets hijacked, I wonder why they ever flew at all. The plane might blow up or crash, or they may have a car accident on the way to the airport. We all take risks every day of our lives, often without even thinking about it. I think that an overreaction simply intensifies the effect of the terrorist act. September 11th affected 6000 families and many New York businesses; due to the overreaction it has now crippled aviation companies and holiday organisations around the world.
Gavin, UK

We call this nation the land of the free and the home of the brave

Simon, US

We call this nation "the land of the free and the home of the brave". Is that just talk? Every American can do his or her bit in this war by showing terrorists that they do not scare us and that our spirit is stronger than theirs.
Simon, US

Many people comment about the US policy but most Americans shy away from affairs outside their country and know little about what goes on in the Middle East. Other countries have lived with terrorism in many forms, and the US foolishly ignored requests for help in the past while funding terrorist groups themselves. Two days ago they threatened Iraq via a letter and said elsewhere they do not believe Iraq is involved. The US must reassess its policies and approaches - especially military action. Until they do this, the world will always be looking over its shoulder in fear.
Dave F, UK

Having lived with US sponsored terrorism on the streets of Northern Ireland for the past 30 years, I do not feel any more threatened than before. I have the utmost sympathy for the victims of the atrocity carried out in NY last month, but this is the first time Americans have really had to face terrorism. Perhaps now they will understand how the rest of us feel.
Eric Warren, Northern Ireland

There will always be someone who will resort to violence and murder for religious, political and personal gain

Tim, USA

On September 11 the world changed forever. We will never be safe or should never feel safety within our own borders again because there will always be someone, somewhere in the world who will resort to violence and murder for religious, political and personal gain. There has always been terrorism, but it now has elevated to a new level and new playing field and regardless of how hard governments try they cannot prevent these actions. The main thing that saddens me is the kind of world we are leaving for our children, and their children. We have lost all morals, values and ethics when dealing with fellow humans. There is not a religion out there that calls for the destruction and murder of innocent people and for people to kill in the name of God, Islam or even Buddha. I strongly support the actions of the US, but in the same breath curse our governments' lazy approach to terrorism.
Tim, USA

Osama claims that America feels fear from its east to its west and from the north to the south? Funny, but we are not the ones who are hiding in a cave right now. I do not fear them or anyone else for that matter. Every American will resist and deter any attempt on another airline hijack, rest assured Osama!
Bryon Ruelas, US

We cannot allow the terrorists the satisfaction

Graham Follett, UK

My wife and I and our 25 year old son are due to fly to Washington DC next week for a family reunion with our daughter who works there. Our other daughter will be flying in from Santiago. We are looking forward to it enormously as our son has been backpacking for over a year and this will be the first time we've all been together for almost 18 months. We love each other, and we cannot allow the atrocities of September 11 to get in the way of expressing that love. We cannot allow the terrorists the satisfaction that their threats, though they may be oh so real, can stop normal events from going on. If we say we can't risk it, then hatred has triumphed over love. That can never be.
Graham Follett, UK

I'm kind of a shocked that there is the perception that the US has never had to deal with terrorism before September 11th. I moved to New York one month before a terrorist bomb exploded in the WTC in 1993 from which I worked 10 blocks away and watched panicked office workers covered in soot walk home in the snow. Please stop "welcoming us to your world". We've always lived in it. The only problem is that we seem to hide behind a veil of child-like innocence whenever it happens.
Kate, Brooklyn, USA

I have been living in London for well over a decade. I do not feel any more/less safe than I have ever done... in other words, "Tell me something new!"
Richard, UK, London

'Safety' is a relative word. It depends on one's perception of terror. To be terrorised one must first be afraid. Afraid of what? Afraid that one may be bombed, killed or mutilated? Yes, these things could happen. But what are, in reality, the chances of this happening? In my opinion very little!
Ray L, Britain

I have lost my sense of false security

Rebecca, USA

No, I do not feel as safe, I have lost my sense of false security. I guess this is good, but at least that allowed me to get on a plane and fly 2,000 miles to be with my family. What I hope for is a stable state and competent leadership in Afghanistan and at least something to be learned from the rest of the world. I don't know why, but there will always be fanaticism in the world whether it is al-Qaeda, Nazism or the KKK. I don't know if this will ever be eradicated, but I hope that this at least leads to the US being less complacent and more secure with harsher realities for those that commit crimes of hate.
Rebecca, USA

The likelihood of a terrorist attack has increased since the initiation of the bombing campaign in Afghanistan because of the real possibility of retaliation. Yes I know Bin Laden wants us to be fearful and that we are falling victim to his plan, but the risk does exist and it is greater than before September 11. Whether he has the capability of carrying out another significant terror strike himself is irrelevant. With anti-American feeling growing it would be frighteningly easy for any determined terrorist to strike again.

The west has focused its defences on other types of military threats and largely ignored the possibility of asymmetric warfare - a big mistake as it has turned out. Despite this, I think the strikes on the Taleban are a necessary first step in the war against the Taleban. I am not an apologist for the attacks - how can anyone even begin to defend this type of terror? I just hope that the US doesn't think that the next step should be similar strikes against other countries. This will only strengthen opposition to the USA and make peace even more difficult to achieve.
Marcus, UK

I have been reading the comments with great interest, all the history thrown up, or points of view, opinions & bigotry expressed, and it appears to be almost splitting along ethnic groupings, which is worrying for the future.

Consider this; long before September 11 the Taleban and bin Laden had blood on their hands; blood of Arabs & Muslims as well as Western blood. They run an oppressive regime, which they wish to expand, over throwing heads of state who are not of their choosing in order to install their own puppet monsters. I would have thought, de facto, more than 50% of the world's population, i.e. women, would oppose this since the Taleban have simply enslaved women in Afghanistan.

Face it, sad apologists for fascists, given their own way they would simply introduce a regime more terrible than Hitler or Pol Pot ever managed. At whatever price, it is surely the time to fight tyrants.
Neill Bell, UK

Neill Bell, UK, says he would think that the women of this world would oppose Bin Laden's regime. Well of course women oppose it, that is, women of the free world who are allowed to voice an opinion without fear of getting stoned to death. Taleban women are not free and are being treated abominably. Can we stop this or is answering violence with violence the answer? Of course I'm frightened. I wonder what happened to Mr Bush's original plan to use "intelligence and diplomacy" to rout out the terrorists. Now it seems, more innocent people will die. God help us.
Jacky, UK

I feel 90 percent safe because I know that the government will try its hardest to stop anything happening here.
Doug, England

I don't believe that putting more police on the street will prevent the kind of attacks that are likely to occur

Sandy, UK

I do feel threatened by terrorism as I don't believe that putting more police on the street will prevent the kind of attacks that are likely to occur. Unfortunately no policeman will ever be able to control the kind of chemical attack that appears at this stage to be a possibility. I am also greatly angered by the comments of the Taleban leaders that Americans are killing innocent people in Afghanistan. I do not believe in the principle of taking a life for a life but I cannot bear to listen to people who condone the events of September 11 complain about the loss of innocent lives in their own country. It is my opinion that if any innocent lives are lost within their borders, on their heads be it.
Sandy, UK

Although Sandy thinks you can stop terrorism with her naive, pacifist policies, I applaud those who have a realistic view of the world. Yes, there will be innocents killed in this war, but no one can contemplate the large numbers of people killed if we do not take an active stance. Here in America, we will not forget the events of September 11, but we have moved on with our daily lives. We have gained strength through everything. I do not know of anyone who has given into fear or lost their resolve due to lies and threats from the Taleban, Bin Laden or al-Qaeda.
Rachel, USA

I was supposed to be going to New York in November, but now I don't know how safe I will be. With all the threats of highjackings and bombings I don't think I'll take the chance.
Katie, England

I won't feel safe until the civilised powers have occupied those countries including Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Lebanon, and others, where terrorism is being deliberately bred. I live in London, and if our governments don't do enough and some terrorist kills me in some mass attack, I shall spend my last few moments cursing peaceniks and their absurd anti-imperialism.
Andrew Lilico, UK

Rather than sit and worry about car bombs and hijackings we should be vigilant without being fearful

Sean Potter, USA

Thankfully here in the USA, we can at least have a chance at protecting ourselves and others by carrying and using handguns in self defence. Of course personal protection is not a complete solution. There really is no solution. However, rather than sit and worry about car bombs, hijackings, and the like we should be vigilant without being fearful. I have not, nor will I, change the way I conduct my daily business. I refuse to live in fear.
Sean Potter, USA

Sean Potter feels safer having a handgun, which are responsible for the deaths of more Americans every year than terrorist acts, including this year. I've lived in the US and it was the widespread ownership of guns that scared me more than the threat of terrorism that we've lived with for years in the UK. Our servicemen are now on the frontline defending America's freedom to live with laws that were written in the dark ages. What would Sean's reaction be if we took all the handgun murders and had them all on one day in one place and showed them live on TV like the WTC? Are Americans concerned with actually being safe or just feeling safe?
Steve B, Scotland

I think people in the US and UK have to be vigilant when going about there normal business. If we run scared from cities and towns then bin Laden has won. What I can't understand is the amount of opportunities Britain and the US has had to fight terrorism before. If we had more success preventing the IRA's many terrorists attacks in the UK then maybe Sept 11th 2001 would not have been remembered for the sick acts of terrorism. Which brings me to another point; how can the Taleban turn round after the first night of attacks and say we are committing terrorist acts. We should reply with "you started it".
Andrew, UK

I agree with the sentiment that life must go on but I am absolutely certain that this conflict is the beginning of the end of the cosy life enjoyed by the citizens of the UK and USA. Given the blinkered view of Andrew, UK, what chance do we stand? He says we should ask Afghanistan who started it. Does he not realise that US foreign policy has given rise to a level of impoverishment that we would not even be able to contemplate in the UK.

Around one million people, many of them children, have died in Iraq as a result of sanctions. Over 10,000 people were killed in 1982 when Reagan supported the invasion of Lebanon. In the mid 1980's the USA launched a terrorist war in Nicaragua and when the world court ruled this illegal, Reagan promptly stated that the USA would no longer recognise its rulings. The level of US hypocrisy is nothing short of mind-blowing. Time and time again American administrations have preached to the citizens of Northern Ireland that it is time to forgive and forget and turn the other cheek when those who have murdered men, women and children walk free from Irish prisons and the instigators of this terrorism hold official posts. It seems to me that if we are going to feel really safe again the US government needs to recognise the importance of practising what you preach.
Andrew Fensome, UK

To show you my attitude, I'm going on holiday by air on Saturday and the terrorist attacks are not going to make me change anything. Why should we suddenly start changing how we live? If we do, the terrorists have succeeded in affecting the western world. I don't think that the Taleban will carry out chemical and biological terrorist attacks. The harder they resist and the more atrocities they commit the harder we will fight back, so what are they gaining? If the worst comes to the worst and there are terrorist attacks in Britain by the Taleban then so be it. But in the end it is their loss.
Wayne, England

It is time to start thinking about the unthinkable and how we will deal with it

Charlie, Devon, UK

I certainly feel much more afraid. If the Islamic world unites as a result of this aggression, which I fear it will, particularly if America continues with its plans to attack other countries, I'm not so convinced we will win. It is arrogant to assume that the WTC attack is the worst that can be done. There is far, far worse to come. Think foot-and-mouth disease, and imagine how badly the UK government will deal with a human outbreak of anthrax. It is time to start thinking about the unthinkable and how we will deal with it.
Charlie, Devon, UK

There's been a lot of anti-US sentiment following the start of the bombing campaign in Afghanistan. There's clearly legitimate concern over the possibility of civilian casualties, but let's put things into perspective, do Islamic countries that harbour terrorists really believe that the US should sit back and take September 11 on the chin? What would their response have been if, for instance, four of their civilian flights had been hijacked by Americans and crashed into one of their major cities?

Where in fact were all these outraged voices during the Iran - Iraq war when millions died? Or the five thousand Kurdish civilians casually disposed of by Saddam Hussein? It is clear I think that some Islamic countries frequently consider barbarism amongst themselves as completely legitimate, yet when a western nation becomes involved it is turned into a holy war. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that there's a touch of hypocrisy here.
Dave P, Italy

I am currently in London and I can't wait to get back to Ireland. With the UK acting as America's lapdog I do fear for my safety in London, and the extra police at the underground stations are laughable. Looks to me like the police officers are just loving the overtime, as they all just seem to be standing chatting to each other. I could have walked past them with a bomb and they wouldn't notice. I have seen the police acting like this on no less than 10 occasions this week alone. Get me back to good old neutral Ireland quickly! Let's face it, the west has had something like September 11 coming for a while now, with the money gap increasing between the haves in western culture and the have-nots elsewhere.
Yussuf, Ireland

They have achieved one of their objectives, disruption

Mark Howes, Hungary

While we must all be extremely aware of the dangers, I for one, will not be changing my habits. I continue to travel as before. It is my opinion that if we react differently then the terrorists will have won. They have achieved one of their objectives, disruption. These cowards will not win.
Mark Howes, Hungary

Muslims are followers of the Islamic faith. Islam preaches peace and denounces terrorism and the killing of fellow humans regardless of faith, colour or nationality. Anyone that calls himself a Muslim and then indiscriminately slaughters 6,000 people of mixed faiths cannot possibly be a Muslim and is therefore a hypocrite and should not be revered by true, peace loving Muslims. Would it not then be true that anyone supporting these acts of terror are also non-Muslims. When Bin Laden calls upon "Muslims" to rise up against their fellow humans, he is asking them to act against their Islamic beliefs and become hypocrites like him.

Muslim leaders and honest Muslims worldwide should be issuing a jihad aimed at Bin Laden and his followers as they are the terrorists who are hiding behind the Islamic faith and using it as a weapon against humanity. As Mr Blair and Mr Bush have frequently said, the military action is against the terrorists and supporters of terror. Religion has nothing to do with these actions and Muslims must not be conned into thinking that it is as this is the only vehicle that Bin Laden has to conduct his policy of global terror.
Dave H, England

I find myself reluctant to go to the major centres of population in Europe, especially with my three small children. I am also avoiding flying and airports wherever possible. When you can use email, telephone and video conferencing, why run the risk to personal safety? It feels to me like a different world now.
Thom, UK

My own safety is the last thing that concerns me. The whole situation is getting out of control and George Bush cannot afford to make any mistakes with his decisions. The question is who the Taleban thinks it is? We have to support the cause and back the decisions made, but let's live in hope for world peace in the near future.
Joe, UK

The only safety concern lies with the US, not the whole world. I've travelled around the world and even those places that have been made out to be the most dangerous areas to visit are fine. But then it's familiar territory for me. Even in Pakistan, which is now shown in the media as a place of utter chaos, everyone is carrying on with their normal daily lives. The Americans are experiencing for the first time what the people of so many countries have been experiencing for many years. That is why they are so afraid. Otherwise I see no reason for every American to live in fear when their country is so vast.
Bill, Islamabad, Pakistan

The US is just as brutal and bellicose as any other nation. It just happens to be bigger and stronger than most and is intent on staying that way. Expecting a higher standard of safety in the US is a worthy vision but not realistic.
Margaret, USA

Safety is definitely an issue but I am more depressed that I don't see an end to the conflict that has been kick-started by the September 11 attacks. You cannot stop violence by retaliating with violence. I feel saddened by all of this.
Bike Basaklar, UK

Weapons of mass destruction have proved effective peace-keepers for years because no-one was willing to step over a certain line

Mike, UK

I think that the increased worry is due to the fact that people have now realised that these people have no boundaries for their behaviour. Whether it's a nuclear bomb in a suitcase or a virulant biological weapon, we now know that they would use it without a second thought. Weapons of mass destruction have proved effective peace-keepers for years because no-one was willing to step over a certain line, but the insanity of pseudo-religious fanatics has made that line meaningless.
Mike, UK

No offence, Leila, but the world wide web wasn't "invented" until 1994. I'm sure that if there was such a powerful tool available then to publicise it then the news would have created far more of an outrage. What I can't see is how easily we've all been drawn into what I believe is Osama Bin Laden's masterplan. To get the entire Muslim population to hate the West. He is very clever, and very stupid, but more to the point the most dangerous man on the planet. He has over one billion potential fighters, if he succeeds with his "jihad".
Jono, England

No offence Jono, but Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 while working at CERN, the first browser followed in 1990.
Tim, UK

Strangely enough, I feel a lot safer now than I did before the dreadful events of September 11th. Why? Because the USA has been made to realise that it is no longer invincible and is just as vulnerable to terrorism as any other nation in the world. Consequently, the USA has been shaken out of its complacency and is now having to take notice of and take action against all sorts of "threats" which, no doubt, it previously thought it was immune against.

It's also interesting to see how Bin Laden is propagating his "war". He can see that America is completely rattled by the New York atrocities, and is now playing on their minds with threats of chemical and biological warfare (faithfully reported by the Western media, I might add!). I personally don't believe that Bin Laden has that capability - perhaps the Western media should take note and stop winning Bin Laden's "war" for him!!
Chris Ashley, UK

The killing of innocents is unfortunate but unintended

Thom, USA

To Sandy of the UK, I say that the killing of innocents is unfortunate but unintended. I can assure you that if the United States wanted a certain quantity of civilians dead, that it would occur with the push of a button and in wholesale amounts orders of magnitude beyond the current figures. It doesn't take the brightest light in the room to figure out that maybe we shouldn't pitch our tent next to a power station tonight, or that if we live next to a communications center maybe we should leave. In Somalia, there were militia surrounding themselves with women and children while shooting at American troops in the hopes that they were immune to return fire, and Iraq has played the same game. Look for this as the current campaign continues.
Thom, USA

Thom of the USA, the death of civilians isn't unfortunate. It's a crime. Manslaughter is a crime no matter how you try to cover it up.
James Richards, UK

This is a message to all American contributors to this site. I apologise unreservedly for all the UK terrorist apologists here. The attacks of September 11 were open acts of war. There is no other way to define it. We may not be able to launch a pitched battle with massed ranks against the enemy but nevertheless they are lowlifes who must be obliterated by any means necessary. There will be, unfortunately, innocents killed by the allied attacks but it will be nowhere near the numbers killed a month ago. Both my grandfathers were killed in WW2 but both my grandmothers were proud widows, as they were fighting a just war as this one is. Wake up people. My family died for a freedom these terrorists are trying to take away. They will not succeed.
Paul, England

To Paul, from the UK, who apologises for others' opposition to the current attacks. The opposition is not against attacking terrorism, but at the killing of "innocents". These people are guilty of nothing other than living in Afghanistan and refusing to leave or change their routine, in the same way as so many Westerners have stated here. As for the statement that less than 6500 people will lose their lives is as abhorrent as it is stupid. A single innocent life, however it is taken is wrong.

Because I do not condone the type of war currently being waged, does not mean that I condone bin Laden and his kind. However, likening this to WW1 or 2 means that the world as a community has learnt nothing, and whilst people like Paul exist, we never will.
Sandy, UK

We must prove that Britons of all beliefs can live together and contribute, and that extremism has no place here.

Richard Hough, Manchester, UK

I feel as safe now as I ever did. I feel much safer knowing that our governments will still use force when needed. What I worry about is that people will use recent events as an excuse to exercise their bigotry and racist tendencies. We must prove that Britons of all beliefs can live together and contribute, and that extremism has no place here. Power is nothing without wisdom - when you wave a big stick you must use it.

When terror groups tell us the door is now open, well we know the door is open - it was open before we bombed Afghanistan, it was well and truly open on September the 11th, and the thing about doors? They are usually two way devices.
Richard Hough, Manchester, UK

When I was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, my father was in the RAF. This meant I, and thousands of other service children, grew up with the constant and real threat of being blown up by the IRA. I can't say I noticed it then and I can't say I notice the threat now - living in fear is what terrorists want us to do, so I won't do it.
Russ J Graham, United Kingdom

I will be happy when the bombing stops, but absolutely support my country's efforts to root out the terrorists

Jo Curtis, United States

We in the U.S. are not shaking in our shoes as bin Laden seems to want. We are going about our ordinary lives, perhaps a little more carefully and perhaps a little more patiently. I think for many of us, September 11th illustrates that we have little control over our possible time of death, and we must do what we must do to enjoy life as we meet our responsibilities.

I, as do most of my fellow citizens, sincerely regret the loss of innocent, civilian lives in Afghanistan, but believe that we must defend ourselves. I will be happy when the bombing stops, but absolutely support my country's efforts to root out the terrorists responsible for the catastrophic crimes of September 11th.
Jo Curtis, United States

All these comments of being suddenly afraid make you wonder if we really have any idea of how people in Israel, Pakistan and many other countries feel on a day-to-day basis
Anne, UK

With its new stance on terrorist organisations and the countries that harbour/finance them, I assume the U.S. will be issuing an apology to Britain for 30 years of failure to stop NORAID. Also, if the U.S. follows Mr Blair's lead will Bin Laden be sitting in the House of Representatives in 15 years time?
SH, Qatar

If anything makes me feel unsafe, it's the rantings of all these do-gooders

Roger, Brighton, UK

If anything makes me feel unsafe, it's the rantings of all these do-gooders, who time after time simply create more problems than they try to resolve. They should just shut up, back off and let those involved make the decisions, which have been thought through more thoroughly than they can imagine. It seems most people are so busy trying to empathise with these extremists, they're forgetting what it's all about! It's not a war on Islam, it's a war on terrorism and a regime that enslaves innocent Afghans. It's these do-gooders that make Britain the safe haven it is for terrorists, protecting the rights of all and sundry, the wicked should have no rights, it's that simple.
Roger, Brighton, UK

If one see the arguments that are being given by Osama bin Laden, one can see they are not baseless.

Farooq, Pakistan

If one see the arguments that are being given by Osama bin Laden, one can see they are not baseless. These are facts that US is supporting the killings of Muslims in Palestine, Bosnia etc. That has created the hate in Muslim people against them. I think western think tanks have to do some serious thinking about that other wise the world will plunge in to 3rd world war.
Farooq, Pakistan

It appears that Farooq of Pakistan is mistaken. The US was helping Muslims in Bosnia, not killing them. I wonder how many other Muslim people have this same misconception.
Eva, Barcelona

Eva, Farooq was alluding to the fact that the USA and Europe stood by to watch thousands of Bosnian Muslims being butchered and prevented Muslims armies from entering and helping them. Don't forget the arms embargo imposed by the West on the Bosnian Muslims, which violated their first human right to defend themselves, a right which US citizens enjoy freely in America. The US and Europe might as well have pulled the trigger instead of the 'war criminal' Milosovic. So there you go, another screw up by America in the eyes of Mr bin Laden.
Nadeem Aslam, Denmark

Eva of Barcelona is wrong to say that the US helped Muslims in Bosnia. The US actually prevented Muslims from arming themselves for self-defensive purposes, saying that it would only prolong the war. Once again the acts of the US government resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people. It is facts such as these together with the Palestinian issue that cause Muslims to hate America.
Rodney, UK

Thank you Eva of Barcelona for correcting the historical error in that the US helped the Muslim people in Bosnia. Ms. Webb of Scotland, I am from lower Manhattan and I think that what you may have seen among New Yorkers was more in the line of profound and palpable sadness rather than fear. That said, it depends on what part of Manhattan you might have visited. My home city has changed in big and small ways to those of us who grew up here.

Long after the news media had stopped broadcasting the awful destruction, the smoke and late night-lights for the rescue/recovering crew still continue 24/7 visible from my windows. My university community is near downtown Manhattan where classes resumed a week after September 11. Few of us can afford to be frightened since the campus is within the vicinity before, during and after the horrific destruction of lives and neighborhoods.

I also recognize that the usual carefree sense of safety has been tempered with a myriad of issues that plagued people who live, work and/or attend school within the affected zone. On the other hand, I've also seen an influx of tour buses passing by my University and neighborhood. I suppose those visitors must have felt a modicum of safety coming through Manhattan.
Anh Tuyet, Manhattan, USA

The difference between a terrorist and a freedom-fighter is that one tries to kill you, the other tries to kill your enemies...

David, UK

I feel a little less safe than before, but having worked in London for many years under the threat of IRA terrorism, I long ago realised that you just have to get on with your life. It does gall me rather to hear talk of war against countries which harbour terrorists; the USA has been the home of IRA terrorists, fund-raisers and supporters for years. The US has funded Saddam Hussian and Bin Laden in the past;the difference between a terrorist and a freedom-fighter is that one tries to kill you, the other tries to kill your enemies...
David, UK

At present I do not feel safe at all and all the time I am following the news and media. Before September 11 we had one Osama bin Laden. I am worried with the way we are spearheading with discriminately bombardment of Afghanistan we might end up having hundreds of Osamas. We must be careful how far we push the matter unless the western alliance wants a war, which that is something else.
Reza, Iran

I relate to Roger's sense of frustration and confusion at the double standards that seem to apply to governments' views on terrorism.

Do I feel safe? The more I know about the world, the less safe I feel. However, I do not wish to wrap myself in cotton wool. I have lived most of my life under the spectre of terrorism and the best way of dealing with it is simply getting on with it. If you worried about what potentially might happen to you at an undefined time, on an unascertained day, then you would hide away from the rest of society and would no doubt turn into a paranoid wreck.

Let's live life to the full and show Bin Laden that we will not succumb to fear and terror. By going to work, socialising and living normally, it is our own small way of saying 'Two fingers to you mate'.
Bryan Johnston, UK

We in Northern Ireland have had to live with this sort of threat for years while the USA and British governments give in to the terrorists and put them in government. Now the rest of the world can experience what it feels like.
Roger, Northern Ireland

Isn't that what all leaders do worldwide? Hang back and tell the fools to go out and fight?

Joe Lowe, Brit ex-pat in Belgium

Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the conservative party in the UK, said bin Laden sculks in caves? From bin Laden's point of view he is the leader of what he sees as a just cause. Isn't that what all leaders do worldwide? Hang back and tell the fools to go out and fight? I feel no less safe in a world of petty bickering, emotive comments and 'very' big guns etc, than I did before.
Joe Lowe, UK/Belgium

Having an Anglo-Irish background I've lived with the threat all my life. I had two cousins in the World Trade Center who finished work September 10th. One was still unlucky enough to witness the event from two blocks away. In Omagh, another cousin missed the bus and the 10-minute wait saved her life when the real IRA struck. My Uncle just walked out of the blast zone in Birmingham when the IRA bombed two bars back in the seventies, he'd gone to call my parents to see why they were late. We all live under the shadow of terrorism everyday, it's just that not everyone knew it until now. The most dangerous enemy is not the one you know about, it's the one you don't know about.
Jason Jones, UK

Let's hear your suggestions on how to reason with the unreasonable.

Ruth, England

To be honest, I am more afraid of the nutters we have wandering round our streets raping, mugging etc than terrorists. These people have always been around and will continue to be around for the forseeable future. We have lived with the threat of terrorist attacks for many years, mainly from groups in Northern Ireland, but we have carried on living our lives the way we always have done. Now, I for one have no intention of worrying about something that may or may not happen. I may as well worry about a meteor hitting the earth or getting cancer.

I also have a comment for George from the UK and others who share his sentiments. You don't agree with the action the coalition is taking with regard to the 11th September attack. Obviously, you have a right to your opinion, which, I'm sure you know, is largely in part to people like Paul from England's grandfathers. Nonetheless, although you have criticised the response and called for a 'diplomatic solution' you have not provided any method of achieving this. None of us want to be involved in a war situation. None of us want to see anyone else killed, however, what options do we have? Do you suggest we just sit back and do nothing? Let's hear your suggestions on how to reason with the unreasonable.
Ruth, England

The sheer symbolism and magnitude of the terrible attacks on New York and Washington has clouded our view of justice

George, UK

My first response to the attacks on the US was fear, not of being the next victim of a similar attack, but fear of the consequences of military retaliation by the US and its allies. The politicians have been quick to claim that this was an attack on the civilised world, yet is this needle in a haystack bombing of an almost invisible target really the response of truly civilised country? By bombing Afghanistan we are giving these terrorists exactly what they want - an excuse to carry out further attacks. It only took a few men to cause the carnage that we saw on September 11, and for all the security in the world, we cannot be sure of not letting a few like-minded individuals through the net.

All these attacks are doing is driving the innocent victims of the Taleban regime out of their country and further fuelling anti-US and anti-western sentiment in the region. This not only makes these bombing raids uncivilised and hypocritical, but vastly unintelligent. It is time for the bombing to stop before it really is too late and for a diplomatic solution to be forged. The quicker the hot-headed leaders of western governments realise this, the more likely we are to get out of this situation unscathed. The sheer symbolism and magnitude of the terrible attacks on New York and Washington has clouded our view of justice, with many normally level-headed people now believing that recriminatory attacks constitute a reasonable response.
George, UK

We all look and judge at each other as an individual and never judge our acts based on religion or faith.

Mohammed Ali, UK

I am a Muslim and believe in one God, I have Christian and Jewish friends who also believe in the same God. We all look and judge at each other as an individual and never judge our acts based on religion or faith. With this feeling, I feel safe. But when a person like Osama Bin Laden comes along and hides behind the Koran (Islam) and carries out his terror acts that make me sick. Then comes the media along and makes the whole thing a religion / nationality issue, that makes me more sick. I hope we all one day live with each other in peace and harmony.
Mohammed Ali, UK

I'm a British national living in Paris and have to admit to feeling rather unsettled at the moment. There was a security alert on Tuesday morning at my university due to a suspect car parked outside. Elsewhere in the Métro stations as well as the streets they've replaced all the bins with plastic bags, however the public safety announcements in the stations seem a rather empty gesture, telling people to be "vigilant" whilst there is a noted drop in the amount of security services/police on duty. I personally feel that the attitude here is rather one of making contingency for what inevitably will happen rather than making sure that the population feel safe going to work in the morning. Thus as a foreign national I do feel rather conspicuous.
Chris Yeomans, France

I stayed overnight in New York on September 18 on my way to Chicago and the sense of fear there was palpable. I feel sorry for the way the attacks have made people in the US very frightened. I was hoping that the visit to my son in Chicago would help to quell my anxiety for his safety. As I fly three to four times a year I was concerned at the so called increased security at the airports. Amsterdam seemed to be the airport with the most efficient security.
Diane Webb, Scotland

Get on with life and live your life to the full, this is not a dress rehearsal

Paul, England

I don't feel anymore unsafe than usual., Sadly it's a violent world we live in. I'm sure the citizens of the US are nervous and over reacting. Get on with life and live your life to the full, this is not a dress rehearsal after all.
Paul, England

I agree with Paul. By living in fear, you are empowering the terrorists. I have no intention of sitting around, expecting something to happen to me. The best way to deal with this is to make each day matter. Stay positive!
Francesca, UK

I do not feel safe when media coverage is only given to western condemnation

Jane Gledhill, UK

I'd feel a lot safer if there was a drive to provide more media coverage for moderate Muslims throughout the world to denounce Bin Laden's interpretation of Islam. Let's see other Muslims from across the world challenging him on our TV sets. This would reduce the perception that it is only the west that is outraged by his atrocities. I do not feel safe when media coverage is only given to western condemnation.
Jane Gledhill, UK

In response to Jane Gledhill. You say that you want more of the moderate Arabs to be shown in the media condemning the attacks on NY and Washington. I can tell you, on September 11 I cried watching those horrific events unfolding. I woke up crying and thinking of those people in the buildings, what they must have felt, what their families are feeling now. But I was also in Beirut in 1982 when Israel bombed Lebanon and killed over 19,000 civilians. That's three times the number of people who died in the US. Did you cry then? Did your internet browser automatically pop up a new button saying: "Terrorist attacks on Lebanese and Palestinians?" No, this made the news for one day, and then we all but forgot about it. The moderate Arab does not share Bin Laden's beliefs or views of Islam, but it distrusts the US government even more.
Leila, UK

Every one is scared about the recent happenings of the world, whether he is an American or afghan etc. No one in this world is feeling safer, they are just trying to convince himself by saying that they are safe.

I am very much convinced about the Leila's comments here; US foreign policies are soaked with blood, people of America also should realize this fact and act accordingly. The colour of blood is red, for all human beings, why America discriminates this fact? If Osama is suspected terrorist of September 11 attacks then equally America is doing the same acts in a royal manner, which the whole world is watching like a coward spectator.
Khan, India

Leila maks a valid point. It's time to crush the terrorists but its also time to force the Israelis to treat the Palestinians fairly. How can there be peace in the Middle East when Jewish settlers continue to colonise Palestinian land?
Grant, England

I feel that this coward Bin Laden understands that his actions are unacceptable

Alex, UK

This has never been a war on Islam, it has always been a fight to live without fear for our families lives. I feel that this coward Bin Laden understands that his actions are unacceptable and tries to justify them through religion, even though 99.9% of the planet view him as a terrorist and nothing more. If he were the sort of brave soldier as they claim he would have given himself up for trial and saved the lives of fellow Afghans by preventing this conflict. Also in response to Leila, I personally was to young to remember Beirut but this does not mean I don't care.
Alex, UK

I agree with Leila. When 1000's of people died in America, the whole world was in uproar, including Arabs, Asians and Muslims. Some countries (those not included when referring to "civilised" nations) were almost BULLIED into condemning the acts committed. They may not have felt inclined to loudly condemn because they themselves are victims on a regular basis. When 10's of 1000's of Arabs and Asians and Africans and any non-western people are butchered, in Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, people are either indifferent or, in the case of America after the Gulf War, celebratory.

Why are the lives of Americans and Europeans and Israelis more sacred than those of the rest of the World? Are some lives less worthy of mourning and respect than others? Yes, it seems that way. I made my minutes silence a mourning for ALL human life taken away by terror, but that includes my family in Iraq, and all others who perished, and those who will surely perish, at the hands of America and the "Coalition".
Shamce, UK

We in the US don't really hear much about the rest of the world unless it involves us

Greg, USA

We in the US don't really hear much about the rest of the world unless it involves us, me included. The US is not against any ethnic race but I fear the only message getting to the people in some parts of the world is that the US is this big mean evil empire that seeks to destroy all Muslims threatening a new world war. Am I afraid for my safety? Not really. I am more afraid for the safety of the world.
Greg, USA

In the UK and the US we are now as safe as those in Northern Ireland have been for decades. In other words it may be that we now have to adapt to a new way of living. I would say generally though that I feel considerably safer than a lot of Muslims in the UK will be feeling right now. We will see the number of race attacks increase in the country and I think we will need to brace ourselves for riots. No matter how much our leaders say this isn't a war with Islam, there will be those who believe it is. Lets not forget the safety of innocent Muslims here and abroad.
Andrew, UK

It is very unlikely that they will succeed with the same element of surprise again

Ken, UK

People need a sense of perspective. The terrorist attacks were hugely successful because they tried something that everyone would have assumed was too dirty a trick even for terrorists. Now that we know to expect no limit of despicability it is very unlikely that they will succeed with the same element of surprise again. The effects were huge but this is not a measure of their power. They are now on the run in the back end of Afghanistan. I feel quite safe.
Ken, UK

Like every extremist Bin Laden wants to force his opinions on others. He hopes to achieve his goals by antagonizing Christians and Muslims through terror attacks. If we let fear guide us and let fear cause us to overreact, we will do exactly what he wants us to do. On the other hand, if we stay calm, continue with our lives and show respect for our fellow human beings whatever their religion or beliefs, reasonable men will win this war.
M Bos, The Netherlands

I don't feel anymore unsafe than usual, sadly it's a violent world we live in. I'm sure the citizens of the US are nervous and over reacting. Get on with life and live your life to the full, this is not a dress rehearsal after all.
Paul, England

I work in central London and yes, I am feeling more than a little nervous at the prospect of any retaliatory strikes. However, I imagine I feel a lot safer than the civilians living in Afghanistan do, while my death would be a tragic loss of life in a terrorist atrocity, theirs will only be collateral damage incurred in a surgical strike.
Nick, UK

We do not have to live in fear just because some dogs start barking. A hollow pot sounds even louder than a rock. The Taleban's guest is offten seen swearing to God that he will launch fresh attacks. It appears he is too scared to come out of his hole and fight a military war. He must know that the lion does not get scared just because he has been bitten.
Mahesh Chandra Somani, Finland

It is the "unconventional nature of this war" coupled with the "considered and measured response" - the time taken to mobilise conventional forces - that makes me feel somewhat less safe. A more sinister escalation could quite easily be the result.
Byron, UK

I hope that all the "normal" people out there understand when they say the US is wrong to attack Afghanistan, that the people who are there and carrying out the raids are normal people just like you with families. Surely they are at far more risk than we are. I have had to live with terrorism all my life. My dad was an Army officer for 25 years. He fought in Northern Ireland and we had to check under our cars every morning in case someone took offence to us being English. Terrorists simply have no regard for anyone else but themselves and personally I think they hide behind the religious mask so they can justify what they are doing. We need to stop them in their tracks.
Caz, Lincoln, England

Terrorism has always existed and I feel a lot safer now with it at the forefront of everyone's minds. Finally it is being dealt with.
James, USA

I feel safer in the UK because we have backed the US 100 percent and I am sure that the price of this is commitment is a renewed promise from the US to forge a peaceful solution in Northern Ireland.
Richard N, UK

Of course I feel threatened. Humans are always looking for destruction. The world is full of mad people.
Hector Tapias, Venezuela