Michael Kelly

About the author: Michael Kelly is the editor of the Atlantic Monthly and a columnist for the Washington Post. He is the author of Martyrs' Day: Chronicle of a Small War, an account of his experiences as a journalist covering the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

The bombing of Afghanistan that began on October 7, 2001, was America's answer to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Those who still question whether it was the right answer should pay close attention to terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's taped message released that day, in which he calls for Muslims to engage in holy war against America and the West. The terrorists led by bin Laden constitute a serious threat to Americans, who should be prepared for a long, daunting, but necessary war...