Excellent reporting can occur with censorship.
Excellent self-defense can occur with ban on firearms. See what I did there, absolutely nothing.
This _is_ also a global war. State-sponsored terrorism can go anywhere. And it doesn't need to be even as high-tech as 9/11...
War isn't only for big countries with big armies anymore. With a budget in the low millions, and a well-trained cadre of 100 true believers (of any belief system, I might add...), I could basically shut the USA interstate system down. Or I could take 5,000 points off the Dow. And a large part of the opportunity is because, even while this is a free country, with freedom of movement, there is also next to ZERO situational awareness among the population.
Global war as in war between countries where mass destruction and complete subjugation of countries occur. Not small terrorist acts that can occur anywhere. If you think Germany or Japan with a million troops on US soil is somehow equal in scale to 9/11 think again.
Calling it a war on terror is really one of the worse exaggerations and fear-mongering I've seen.
Iraq is a local war. If you think the withdrawal of US troops will cause insurgents to pack their bags and fight on US soil, you are exaggerating their desire and capabilities. It's one thing for insurgents to cross from Iran and Syria into Iraq, another to send them to the US.
With millions and a 100 followers you could do something that takes some points off the Dow, but guess what, it will recover easily. If you think you can shut down the entire interstate system, good luck. You could shut parts off for a short short while, maybe a day. Guess what, it will recover easily.
Could you explain what you mean by zero situational awareness? I'm unaware of any terrorist attacks after 9/11, and definitely nothing that could have been prevented by more situational awareness of citizens.
Even before 9/11, what did you expect civilians to do? It isn't illegal for a muslim to learn how to fly a plane. Not yet at least.