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The practice of terrorism has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. The categorical fanaticism that is apparent in terrorist organizations across a spectrum of belief systems is a major part of this change. In the past, terrorists were more likely to be dominated by pragmatic considerations of political and social change, public opinion, and other such factors. Today, a phenomenon that was a minute rarity in the past terrorists bent on death and destruction for its own sake is more commonplace than ever. In addition, the statelessness of today's terrorists removes crucial restraints that once held the most extreme terrorists in check or prevented them from reaching the highest levels in their organizations.

Focuses on army recruitment and the civil-military relations gap in the United States. Recall of the case of US Air Force Lieutenant Ryan Berry; Disinterest of a majority of Americans to issues of national security and defense; Effect of the gap on military resourcing.