Wake up
Intermittent becomes constant and technology rolls on. Weapons availability and the ability to use them becomes pervasive.
The intermittent attacks will become intermittent nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. The odd truck bomb and suicide bomber will be daily occurrances.
There is no versus. It is what it is. We had a reasonably safe and productive life under Nixon, Carter, Reagan, and Bush I, as well. Then there was 9-11.
Coming to your home town all too soon.