The recent terrorism arrests for the trans-Atlantic flights alleged bomb plot shows that the tried and tested method of using security agencies gathering intelligence is the best way to combat terror, before the plots are put in execution.

There is no need for a "war on terror" that invades other countries, killing tens of thousands of civilians, destabilizing countries, created new terrorism leaders and alliances (such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi), and having thousands of new recruits for terror organizations like Al-Qaeda.

While intelligence by security agencies is not infallible, it has much less of those side effects.

Bruce Shneier said it well in his article on the August terrorism arrests.