Continual surprises show the impossibility of predicting major events. International terrorism is a particularly treacherous area that calls for agile planning and flexible response. There is neither the manpower nor the treasure nor the moral expedient to move outside troops into every country that could serve as a terrorist haven, so those countries that receive such long-term commitments must be selected carefully. Yet other countries still pose substantial danger to the world order, and ways must be developed to prevent them from hosting al Qaeda and similar organizations. A partial solution is establishing strategic bases in contested locations to carry out sanctions or take other steps selectively and effectively. Additionally, NATO should be clear about its objectives. The Alliance should, for instance, make it well known that it has no interest in remaining in Afghanistan beyond ensuring that the country is never again complicit in attacks launched from its soil.