The "War on Terror" is a futile effort and a waste of resources.

"I still don't feel like you addressed what I stated as terrorist goals in the beginning of my argument." Alright, I will correct my mistake then. "[...]the number one goal of terrorists is to spread their cause and their name to as many people as possible." That is indeed a goal of terrorists, surely this is one thing we can agree upon. However I don't see how a lack of intervention abroad, since you are against foreign intervention (at least on its current level) in the interest of stopping terrorism, truly if we step back and give them space they shall grow to fill it. What I mean to say is, if we do not inhibit their efforts through military means and those of intelligence, they will succeed in their goal of spreading, as there is nothing stopping them. When a forest fire first catches, what is necessary is human intervention, lest it grow immensely and leave behind a charred waste. However their goals also include changing society to their liking, enforcing conformity, and killing anyone who will not conform or that stands in their way. If we were to leave them be, they could grow in power, and perhaps even form a new Muslim Empire. What would stop them? We wouldn't be opposing them, and some countries even wish to assist their efforts. "Another goal of terrorists is to cripple their target or frighten others until they give into their demands." If we were to pull out of the middle east, that would actually be surrendering to their goal. If we cease to fight their efforts, we will be giving in to their demands and wishes, and they will succeed. "I also don't think that you understood what I meant when I said, 'Money and resources would be better spent on defense of the homeland.'" I understood perfectly, I still disagree with it. Resources should be allocated to the defense of our mainland, however that is not all they should be directed towards. We should focus our funds also upon combating terrorism abroad, and gaining intelligence regarding the organization of their groups and any possible support received from sympathetic governments. We need to focus on homeland security and counter intelligence while at the same time not forgetting about taking action overseas. "I don't think we should 'ignore' it" Let me clarify, you do not think we should address the issue overseas, and to engage them is only legitimizing them, and is a waste, as you stated. Essentially, that is ignoring the problem, at least a portion of it. Their cause is not to incite fear, they incite fear to further their cause. Terrorists are a threat, which is precisely why we have to engage them overseas. If we sit back and allow them to work, that is what will allow them to succeed. If we stand idly by, we will be allowing them to dominate people and regions. "The govt. could just make an announcement saying not to worry about the terrorists and that counter intelligence agencies are working to prevent future attacks." They do that already sometimes, it's hardly settling. "The terrorists want us to attack them back, they want us to be afraid and react." What they want is for us to give into their demands. Terrorists want us out of their way, they want to control people and society. They want to impose their will upon people, and they hate us for being against their personal beliefs and for fighting to prevent the increase of their domination in the middle east. "If you hit them, they hit you back, if you pull a gun they may pull theirs, but if you raise your arms up in defense or just walk away, you avoid conflict all together" In an idealist's world, that might be fine and true, but this is reality. "we know what they like to do, we know where they are (generally by country), so why give them what they want" If we allow them to dominate the region and its people, then we really are giving them what they want. Not all people in the middle east hold the arrogant violent views of the terrorist extremists, but those who do dominate the peaceful ones. If we allow them to do so, it will not end. It will be a long battle, but it isn't for naught. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, we can't turn back now. We need to keep doing all we can to encourage freedom in this region, and opposing Islamic extremism. It will take time, but it will lead to a better future in the long run. "As someone said before in the comments, a farmer that would otherwise be indifferent about the war loses his wife to a drone strike, and suddenly he has a good reason to pick up arms against the U.S. How can we proclaim life liberty and the pursuit of happiness when we feel justified to destroy families and infrastructure?" War is a terrible thing, but sometimes it is what is necessary. Those people are put down by the terrorist groups even without our presence, we need to end it. Sometimes someone has to get blood on their hands, so in the future other people don't have to. "What makes you think that a few years of targeted bombing and forced government reform will change the minds of people who have known war for so long?" Well that's hardly an accurate representation of my stance, somewhat of a straw man really. "However I will say that I think the U.S has a lot to improve in internal affairs and infrastructure before we are ready to take on such a "noble" task." It is more difficult to stop something once in motion, than to let it continue. We can still fix ourselves simultaneously. We need to continue the effort, at home, and overseas.