Whilst " we " and the press use terms such as " war on terror " and call these fanatics " soldiers " we justify the criminal actions in the mind of the perpetrator as our descriptions / titles of such actions substantiate the motive in the mind of the deluded.
It is a terrible thing if a " crimnal " kills someone, however when a " soldier " kills someone, it is a regretfull but acceptable part of their job. While these criminals kid themselves they have a "job " to do, they will continue doing it.
It seems to me that the majority of those who actually carry out these attrocities are vulnarable people, who are convinced martydom awaits them and therefor fuels a poor self esteem or ego, as does the title "Soldier " meanwhile the real instigators of these acts, hide behind polotics and keep well out of the danger zone.