I think that War on Terror is part if a bigger process, and it has natural economic roots. These roots are in the fact that our economy, like a drug addict, became dependent on artificial stimulators, and like drug addict, can't live without them. Probably the most explicit pre-9/11 demonstration of this was Y2K hysteria, which generated new business while being total hoax for anyone competent in computer programming. Once it was over, it was clear that there must be some replacement, and security was natural choice.

This trend is even more clearly seen in the media industry, where one "center topic" is replaced by another, and all interest is centered around the next cult. I think there's no need to even mention the specific examples, so obvious it is. But if you look around, you will see that the same articifial process is taking place in other areas of society as well.

If this theory is true, then when War on Terror eventually wear out, at that time the economy and society will need their next doze, another "national idea", so at that time some new hoax will be invented.

Getting out of drug addiction is pretty hard. Once you get used to award grants, contracts and other funds based on the popular hysteria rather than the real situation and needs, it's pretty hard to convert the thinking back to normal.