I absolutely agree that terrorism is a very real threat in certain parts of the world. Living in Iraq and Afghanistan, people have up seriously weigh the probability of a bomb exploding when they are in a crowded place. Thus, it absolutely makes sense for their governments to more strongly weigh security against liberty and restrict liberty.<p>Nonetheless, what I said was &quot;Terrorism is not a serious or legitimate threat to the vast majority of <i>Americans</i>&quot;. My point was in the context of the tradeoffs we make in our society given the risks.<p>For example, our TSA security measures have actually increased deaths in America BC people have substituted to driving when when it would have been a short flight due to the inconvenience of airport security [1].<p>Since driving is much riskier Han flying, deaths have increased such that more people have died from this effect than from all terrorism in the US since (and including 9&#x2F;11).<p>Because the threat of terrorism is extremely small WITHIN the US, our response has been entirely overblown.<p>A similar example is the surge in gun purchases after the San Bernardino shooting. Gun related accidents from these purchases will undoubtedly cause more deaths than terrorism.<p>Thus, when making policy (and personal) decisions, we need to do an objective cost&#x2F;benefit analysis.<p>The result: it absolutely makes sense to own a gun, have limited freedom of movement, or government surveillance if you live in Afghanistan. In the US, not so much.<p>&gt;Please read the news beyond Americas borders sometimes.<p>I&#x27;m extremely well read in international policy research. Many of my friends are researchers at RAND corporation, and they focus on international terrorism.<p>My response to your statement would be that you can&#x27;t create a generalized policy solution for the whole world. It needs to be contextualized by the situation on the ground.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.schneier.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;archives&#x2F;2013&#x2F;09&#x2F;excess_automobi.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.schneier.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;archives&#x2F;2013&#x2F;09&#x2F;excess_automo...</a>