The analysis presented in this book has focussed upon identifying the nature of contemporary political terrorism and outlining some of the major policy choices involved in invoking a number of specific counter-terrorist measures. Many of these policy decisions will be made on an assessment of future directions in terrorism and the threats they will pose. Crystal-ball gazing is a pastime fraught with uncertainty and danger. A number of commentators have warned that detailed predictions are almost always inaccurate and it is also possible that those who predict events connected with violence may unconsciously underrate evidence which would lead to unexciting (that is, non-violent predictions). As Carlton has observed:

Bearing in mind these dangers we must ask ourselves how much value there is in trying to predict the future of terrorism. There are two reasons why such an enterprise should be attempted by as many analysts as possible. The security authorities will obviously be required to make such predictions and the danger is that they will be inaccurate in either of two extremes.