&gt; <i>+ perhaps most importantly, were out of their depth when it came to assessing a political risk, namely the extent to which a surprise attack would bring down on them the implacable fury of an enraged and industrially-powerful United States.</i><p>By &quot;out of their depth&quot; do we mean &quot;dumber than six pounds of gravel&quot;? I admit that the fantasy that slapping someone in the face will instantly cow them, instead of provoking angry retaliation, is a common one in history, but I don&#x27;t think that makes it any less stupid given the historical evidence.<p>(See also Every Terrorist Ever, with the exception of the ones who <i>want</i> to provoke angry retaliation.)