meridian said:
Have we ever actually understimated them, I don't know, would be interesting to hear others views but I think one thing they do exploit is the fact that we have confusing, uncertain and sometimes contradicting goals. They know they have all the time in the world and we don't so can afford to play the long game
Iran-Contra interview tape 1987:
Q. "Did you not recently spend close to 60,000 USD for a home security system?"
A. "Yes, I did, sir."
Q. "Isn't that a little excessive?"
A. "No, sir."
Q. "No? And why not?"
A. "Because the lives of myself and my family were threatened, sir."
Q. "Threatened? By whom?"
A. "By terrorists, sir"
Q. By terrorists? What terrorist could possibly threaten you that much?"
A. "His name is bin Laden, sir"
Q. "And why are you so afraid of this man?"
A. "Because, sir, he is the most evil person alive that I know of."
Q. "And what do you recommend we do about him?"
A. "Well, sir, if it were up to me, I would recommend that an assassin team be formed to eliminate him and his group from the face of the Earth."