Without going into the USS Cole event; the first attack was in open water, the next attack was in open air, and the intelligence community has the thankless job of trying to figure out in what environment the next inevitable attack will take place.
Although it is now to late to stop September 11th from occurring and there is no way to turn back the hands of time; in my opinion, the terrorism efforts could have been hindered by buying up all of the Russian military equipment and weaponry that was for sale. The cost to the government would have been substantial, but I'm afraid that the cost of fighting the now even further powered terrorist organizations will be even greater. The efforts to fight terrorism will continue, but there doesn't appear to be an end. The United States intelligence community should pursue in continuance its goal in defeating terrorism because the results of another attack are far more than the American public is willing to bear.
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