An analysis of 457 terrorist campaigns since 19 68 found that not one terrorism group had conquered a state. The number of terrorist groups who have accomplished all their objectives zero. Groups survive only five to nine years on average, end badly with the death of its leaders. And finally, this balance between liberty and security is one all governments contend with in many areas of society. But these seven myths about terrorism point to the unavoidable conclusion that, in the course of history, terrorism fails utterly to achieve its goal or divert civilization from its path toward greater justice and freedom unless we fall victim to fear itself.