No words can console the grief of those whose sons died in the rugged battlefields of Afghanistan. The victory of the Taliban has completely eroded the last faint consolation that perhaps their citizens might have a better life. (Sacrifice in blood has come to nothing, 18/8). The argument for confronting state sponsored terrorism was compelling, resulting in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, but not Iran. However, lured into dangerous foreign territories, allied troops on the ground were victims of multiple cowardly acts of terrorism, including roadside bombs and suicide bombers. After 911, improved security and surveillance in the US had minimised homeland threats, with some exceptions. The new Taliban government will need to embrace the west and be accommodating to ensure global help with the Covid pandemic. Ironically, if the goal of terrorism was to have people cower at home, too scared to venture out, where al-Qaida had failed, Covid has succeeded. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 19Aug2021.