First, overt military retaliation is a kind of strategic catharsis. Sending air strikes or military invasions seems fitting.20 Second, military retaliation responds to domestic pressure, the need to “do something.” In the aftermath of major terrorist incidents, there is often a wave of public opinion supporting military retaliation.21 Elites respond to that pressure—or leaders’ perception of pressure. Using military force sustains national morale and prestige, all the
