"Wars have typically been fought against proper nouns (Germany, say) for the good reason that proper nouns can surrender and promise not to do it again. Wars against common nouns (poverty, crime, drugs) have been less successful. Such opponents never give up. The war on terrorism, unfortunately, falls into the second category." That quote from Grenville Byford two decades ago still reigns supreme. How are the world's militaries doing on this front and can we believe claims of successful actions? Borealis weighs in on this issue.