Islamic totalitarians came very close to blowing up a number of passenger airlines and our government's response is to restrict what Americans can put in their carry-on luggage. Such a response only confirms to America's enemies that they should just get more creative in how they attack us next. Wars cannot be won on the defense.

Our government must eliminate the real source of the problem decisively and quickly. Islamic totalitarian groups such as Hezbollah and Al Qaeda, and the countries supporting them such as Iran and Syria, are hell-bent on attacking Americans. They will not stop unless we make it impossible for them to function or regroup. Their infrastructure and support networks have to be permanently disabled as quickly as possible in whatever way our military recommends. A drawn-out, five-year "W ar on Terror," where we help build roads, plants and hospitals in the Middle East, only strengthens the resolve of our enemies.

The writer is executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute and a recognized Middle-East expert who has written and lectured on a variety of Middle- East issues.