| Bird flu won't stop terrorists, and a serious | | | | northern or southern borders. |
| pandemic may encourage them to strike. | | | | As ordinary citizens, we cannot guard nuclear |
| Therefore, one more problem which policy | | | | power plants or similar targets, but we can help |
| makers in the world must watch out for is | | | | maintain order in our own neighborhoods, and look |
| maintaining security. This will be hard enough when | | | | for danger in the form of both criminals and |
| police, security guards and soldiers are sick and | | | | terrorists. |
| dying in large numbers. | | | | Terrorists who really analyze the world situation |
| Of course, terrorists are not immune to bird flu, | | | | may well conclude that it's important to strike at |
| and some will no doubt become sick and die just | | | | the United States while we are distracted and |
| as everyone else. But since we cannot count on | | | | weakened by the bird flu pandemic. |
| bird flu incapacitating all of them, we must prepare | | | | Our main world rival, China, will be weakened even |
| to guard against attacks. | | | | more so. It's quite possible that in China there'll be |
| Many terrorists do prefer to meticulously plan and | | | | widespread violence in the countryside against the |
| prepare for their attacks. During a pandemic | | | | government, and conflicts between regions. It is |
| society will not be on a regular basis, and | | | | possible it could break up into different countries. |
| therefore it'll be harder to make detailed plans | | | | It's possible that a great ally of terrorism, North |
| that assume society will maintain its established | | | | Korea, could see a political change. North Koreans |
| order. However, the relative chaos and anarchy | | | | have withstood massive starvation in the past |
| will make it easier to carry out small scale but | | | | twenty years. Will they also passively accept |
| strategically targeted bombings. | | | | widespread death by bird flu? |
| In some countries, there may be so much | | | | Iran's mullahtocracy could be overturned by its |
| anti-government sentiment and activity that | | | | dissatisfied citizens. Though the House of Saud |
| terrorism will be unnecessary. Terrorists looking to | | | | may be overturned by Islamic fanatics. |
| attack the established order may find that bombs | | | | A bird flu pandemic could be a bad time to be the |
| just aren't necessary -- there're too many | | | | government -- in many countries around the |
| demonstrators and rioters in the streets already. | | | | world. Yet the United States, although facing |
| One bomb more or less won't make any | | | | violence and chaos, has the best chance of |
| difference. | | | | emerging from the pandemic politically intact. And |
| It's possible that in prodominately Islamic countries | | | | although we'd be economically weakened, we'd be |
| those that preach a return to an extreme | | | | in relatively better shape than the rest of the |
| interpretation of the Koran and sharia as a way | | | | world, similar to our situation at the end of World |
| to avoid Allah's wrath in the form of bird flu will | | | | War 2 -- which terrorists would hate. |
| find a ready audience of the fearful and | | | | Governments around the world recognize the |
| grief-stricken. | | | | potential for a serious bird flu pandemic to drive |
| It's also possible that in many countries those that | | | | them from power, which is why they are working |
| are able to use the bird flu pandemic to seize | | | | so hard despite political differences to contain the |
| power from the government will be opportunists | | | | virus. |
| and strong-arm criminal dictators who have no | | | | However, terrorists have no such interest in |
| sincere interest in rule by Islamic law. They will | | | | maintaining the present order. Therefore, we |
| impose rule by force upon a population decimated | | | | must assume they may take advantage of the |
| by bird flu and looking for a way to return to | | | | situation. They may get little or no publicity while |
| normal. | | | | the world is preoccupied with millions of bird flu |
| Terrorists may take advantage of U.S. | | | | deaths, but they may be able to damage needed |
| disorganization and law enforcement personnel | | | | infrastructure. |
| shortages to enter the country from either the | | | | |