Fellow Melbournite Usha. Thank you for your piece. I've read the book too. I'm re-reading Lawrence Wright's "The Looming Tower" right now. Just as scary and predictive. I've been internally screaming since the peace process began that it was a disaster. I kind of obsessively study the war on terror in all aspects and knew this was coming. I don't get how everyone believed we could simply decide the endless war had ended.... this will outlast our children, possibly our grandchildren. I support some very directed charities who actually help things over there, and help personally with veterans through a service I offer them that is often helpful for them coming back from deployment. It's all we can do in the face of it. We are probably as shielded as is possible anywhere on earth from immediate fallout, to try and reassure you a little.