We don’t know precisely who was behind the attacks in Mumbai and what all their aims were. Why do intelligence services have so little information about the perpetrators?

Such terrorists will continue to plan to strike at such symbols of modernity as a great financial center such as Mumbai. (Last week U.S. officials said al-Qaida might plan an attack on New York subways. )

Once again, a well-coordinated small group of fanatics does immense damage. We need firmness and fatalism in facing that.

Indian political leaders have been controlled in assigning blame for the attacks (which some link to Pakistanis), for which they should be praised in such a volatile region.