An Icon Destroyed

Yousef's gang targeted the Trade Center for several reasons. It was the symbol of America's wealth and commerce and in their minds, was filled with the hated Jews. Most of all, Yousef and his gang wanted to kill thousands. The terrorists, and the second pack who plotted to blow up the bridges and tunnel's leading into the city, bragged that they wanted the American people to feel terror. The men behind the 1993 bombing fumbled their way toward the first terrorist attack on domestic soil. Today's attack was clearly carried out by a different kind of group. It was almost surgical in its relentless precision. Early evidence indicated that they are far larger, well-funded and well-disciplined. And there is another element at work that forever alters the calculus of law enforcement in this country. Today's attack used suicide bombers, the first time they have ever been seen on our shores. It is an event FBI officials have long feared since attacks by suicide bombers are groomed in secret, difficult to detect and nearly impossible to prevent.

Peg Tyre is co-author of "Two Seconds Under the World," on the World Trade Center bombing

© 2001