For all their current prestige, Osama bin Laden and the suicide bombers are still regarded in all but the most desperate districts of Gaza or Peshawar as romantics with little chance of more than symbolic victories, however bloody and brutal. That gives both the Middle East and the West a small and distant hope of security.

Summary

This quote suggests that while Osama bin Laden and suicide bombers may be revered in some areas, they are generally seen as hopeless idealists with limited prospects of achieving anything more than a symbolic impact, regardless of their violent tactics. As a result, there is a slight chance for both the Middle East and the West to maintain a sense of security. The notion of their actions being predominantly symbolic rather than strategically consequential provides a small ray of hope for stability in these regions.

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