What is the value of terrorism? Let's be cynical and try to do the impossible: forget the phenomenon itself, and take an unbiased look at the consequences - which have have certainly benefited some nations and politicians.
First point: Terrorism has led to rapprochement between Russia and the West. So many hopes were realized! Russia was almost accepted into NATO, recognized as a market economy, and is now trusted with serious missions - like being a mediator in the dangerous Indian- Pakistani conflict.
The situation with Chechnya has also eased somewhat. As Vladimir Putin put it, "In the war on terrorism in Chechnya... international consolidation and support is as important as it is in other regions where problems of terrorism are encountered." This support has been obtained. Of course, Moscow is still criticized over Chechnya, but the Kremlin does have an answer now: Chechnya is "bin Laden's hand", and this hand has to be cut off.
Second: Global terrorism (as the "Itogi" analysts term it) is "a true gift to NATO, capable of prolonging its existence." Indeed, what else have the NATO bureaucrats had to do in the past, other than admit East European provincials? And now they can be busy.
Third (or first): The United States can finally realize its dreams of becoming the only global power. UN sanctions for the operation in Afghanistan are just diplomatic trimmings compared to the hard facts of life. As for candidates for the "axis of evil", no one even asks them anymore.
Fourth: The Americans are finally in post-Soviet territory, namely Central Asia and the Caucasus. In Central Asia, the United States is right on the borders of China.
Fifth: President Bush has made his mark. He is probably the most impressive of all post-war US presidents.
Sixth: Central Asian elites can now relax. They now believe they are under America's protection, and they have been promised substantial financial assistance to restructure their economies.
Seventh: Terrorism and the war against it have it paved Washington's way into Georgia. Tbilisi claims that elite units are being trained for war against terrorists and that they will never be used against Abkhazia. We shall wait and see.
Eighth: India gained a pretext to attribute its conflict with Pakistan to the war on Islamic extremism.
Ninth: Many people all around the world are proud of Osama bin Laden and his men. They punished the United States itself. If you think I only mean the Islamic world, think again. There have been many sneers elsewhere, including Russia and Western Europe.
Tenth: There have been many cases (in Russia as well) where terrorism has advanced careers. Political mileage can be gained from a verbal war on terrorism.
Here is a question: what would life have been like without September 11?
I imagine the following picture. A crowd of presidents, prime minister, ministers, Islamic clerics, and so on - surrounding a monument, still under wraps. The covering is removed. It's a statue of Osama bin Laden, with the inscription: "To bin Laden, in appreciation."