The latest Paris attacks rightly horrify us, but they should surprise no one, least of all the French. After all, France started bombing Islamic State forces 14 months ago.

The targeting of civilians is morally monstrous. However, it is sadly predictable, an almost common practice by weaker powers. A century ago ethnic Serbs and Russian anarchists employed this hideous tactic. More recently Sri Lankan Tamils and Iraqi Sunnis used it. Now IS is perfecting a weapon it had heretofore left to al-Qaida.

The Paris killings weren't an attempt "to destroy our values, the values shared by the U.S. and France," as claimed by Frederic Lefebvre of the National Assembly. Rather, admitted French academic Dominique Moisi, IS' message was clear: "You attack us, so we will kill you." As America learned on Sept. 11, 2001, bombing, invading and occupying other states, intervening in other nations' political struggles, supporting repressive governments, and killing residents for good or ill inevitably create enemies and blowback.