We will not retreat in the face of terror. Wait, we will. Oh, nope. I'm wrong. We won't after all.

America will not retreat in the face of terrorists and murderers. And neither will the free world. As Prime Minister Blair said after the attacks in London, "Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people." The attack in London was an attack on the civilized world. And the civilized world is united in its resolve: We will not yield. We will defend our freedom.

America has banned its 12,000 airforce personnel stationed in the UK from travelling to London to "ensure their safety and security" in the aftermath of last week's bombings in the capital. A directive was issued to all United States Air Force staff just 24 hours after the terrorist attacks. It states that even senior officers must apply for permission to travel from the barracks in East Anglia - where many are based - to meetings in London. The ban prevents them from entering areas inside the M25 and family members, who are not subject to orders, are also being urged to stay away.

The US military has rescinded an order to its personnel to avoid London in the aftermath of the bombings. Personnel, most of them from US Air Force units at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, were told last week not to go within the M25 motorway. But there was criticism that it sent out the wrong signals at a time when the emphasis was on "business as usual" in London after the attacks..."While all personnel are encouraged to be vigilant, we cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated by the acts of terrorists."