Liberal Dreams Died in Mumbai

Unlike the terrorists in Mumbai, the mainstream media has missed the boat—but can still dispel illusions about how to curb terrorist threats, Arthur Herman writes in the National Review. One illusion is that resolving India-Pakistan tensions, and problems in Kashmir, will deter terror. "Terrorists see it the other way around: the relaxation of tensions is a problem requiring bloodshed," Herman writes.

Also, democratic nations cannot "opt out of the war on terror." Despite bloody bombings in Mumbai 3 years ago that killed more than 200, India has kept a hands-off approach, separating law-enforcement agencies and shelving its version of the Patriot Act. "Britain and the United States have learned how to deal effectively with terrorism the hard way," writes Herman. "Maybe this time Indians will, as well." (More Mumbai stories.)