I'm shocked you call terrorist attacks a suboptimal path. It reminds me of how during the cold war people (usually male) discussed nuclear wars with language such as "limited warfare", enemies "exchange" warheads; or use everyday language "deliver" "take out" to replace sentient human bodies and human lives" as entirely rational if only slightly unfortunate events. (for background, I recommend Sex and Death in the Rational World of Defense Intellectuals by Carol Cohn)