And the prize for biggest terrorist threat goes to...

[Newest Reality]

3. Of course...

Chomsky brought up the point that the major purpose of security is to defend the system, (and those who benefit most from it) from internal threats and the external enemies are more for show and to deflect from that purpose, ultimately. Otherwise, you could not justify the internal measures taken to erode rights, as per the Patriot Act via Bush and Co, etc. It's old hat and typical. The media does the massaging and tends to manufacture the consent.

However, it is not just about certain extremist groups here and there's the rub. When you exaggerate a threat to the point of extreme panic, you can easily clamp down on your own population, increase surveillance, and restrict freedom, (which people will gladly roll over and succumb to if they are in fear or feel desperate). We see surveillance capitalism growing and thriving, so that's not news, but there are other factors, as well.

If anyone is surprised by that, then it might warrant more investigation.