---
title: "Why Has the U.S. Not Been Attacked?"
description: "A plurality among the public says the reason there has not been another terrorist attack in America since 2001 is mostly the result of luck."
date: "2010-11-02"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2010/11/02/why-has-the-u-s-not-been-attacked/"
---

# Why Has the U.S. Not Been Attacked?

By more than a two-to-one margin, Americans say the government is doing a good job in reducing the threat of terrorism. But the public does not fully credit the feds for preventing terrorist attacks. In fact, a 43%-plurality says that the reason there has not been another terrorist attack in America since 2001 is mostly the result of luck. More than a third (37%) credit the government doing a good job, while 13% say America is a difficult target for terrorists. The public has been divided on this question since it was first asked in 2005. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1777/approval-government-antiterrorism-efforts-but-many-say-its-luck)