US misreads terrorism even 15 years after 9/11

The United States has not suffered any major terrorist attacks in the 15 years following the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. But that does not mean it has been free of terrorist attacks or threats; on the contrary, they are on the rise given the emergence of "lone wolf" attackers.

The past few years have seen terrorists' attempt to target Times Square in New York City, two explosions rocking Boston on the day of the city's annual marathon and, more recently, New York and New Jersey caught in the grip of panic after three bombings or bombing attempts.

The US is awkward with the fact that apart from those radical Muslims who have launched attacks in America, some of the attackers were radicalized after becoming naturalized US citizens. This shows former president George W. Bush's anti-terrorism narrative has not worked well. The US' unjustified invasion of Iraq might have turned more Muslims into radicals, and its equally baffling, hurried withdrawal of combat troops from the fractured country has created an even fertile soil that breeds terrorists.