Only a day after terrorists rammed a truck load of explosives into a compound in Russia, another group has killed over 90 in Saudi Arabia using the same tactic. One gets the grim feeling that this may not be the last of the terror attacks we have seen this year and for some time to come. It is also an ominous sign that in different parts of the world, terrorists are using similar tactics.

It is a grim reminder that the war Islamic fundamentalists have declared on the civilized world is in full murderous swing and any triumphal celebration over small victories would be misplaced.

The bomb blasts in Israel, the killings in Chechnya, the shootings and murder in India, the incidents in Afghanistan, the gathering storm in Pakistan are constant reminders that the danger is not gone.

The world can not afford a lessening of caution because the coward enemy will stab in the back at every opportunity, as it has the departing US troops from Saudi Arabia. The American troops were there to defend the country from the tyrant next door and were packing up to leave. Fundamentalists have long used the presence of foreign troops on holy Saudi soil as a pretext to murder. But now, that they were leaving, a goodbye kiss of death must serve as a somber message for the western world. It is obvious that all reasons given for such attacks are devoid of moral grounds and these people are simply blood thirsty monsters that care very little for political process and civilized discourse.

America might be keeping its pledge and withdrawing from Saudi Arabia- but terrorists have no interest in acting with honor. These people are given to death and destruction and there can be no discussion or reasoning with them.

No solution in Palestine, no political settlement in Chechnya and no placation by Americans in Iraq or Saudi Arabia can calm these murderers.

It is also obvious that after some success in Afghanistan, the US military campaigns, as with Russian presence in Chechnya, Indian army presence in Kashmir and Israeli occupation of West Bank - are proving useless against the terrorist attacks. If anything, the civilian sentiment is being stoked every day and new recruits being brought into the cycle of death and murder.

The campaign against terror would have to be taken to a new level to counter its imminence. Saudi, Pakistani and other Muslim countries' administrations must reign in the violent rhetoric of mullahs. Pre-emption, otherwise, must remain an option with the military commanders.

It is obvious that monies continue to flow to terrorists and they gather and plot almost without check in many countries. The war must be taken to them before they bring it to the civilized population within their own countries and abroad.

Separatists in Chechnya may not agree with the referendum and choice of administration officials but it can not be denied that a political process has been started. As before, separatists are talking with the only languages they know - terror and murder. They are intent on marginalizing themselves. They do not deserve to be served more chances. Politics should not become an excuse for politicking. Terrorists should be treated as such and only those who submit to peaceful franchise given the opportunity to disagree and debate.

Too much politicking has also crept into the global response against terror and too easily has the human cost of terrorist acts been forgotten. The differences over Iraq must be buried to reinstate the common global response forged after September 11, 2001.

The US government seems to have been convinced that the corrupt and hollow regime of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or the appointed head of Afghanistan can solve this massive problem. It is time to take the response beyond these titular governments and directly to those who propagate violence.