Never do your enemy a small injury

From Dr. Pournelle at Chaos Manor

Of course the burnings are a tactical error. Never do your enemy a small injury. This will infuriate the Muslims in the same way that lobbing a missile into the Mosque of the Two Aspects in Medina would infuriate them, while doing nothing to intimidate them; that is, if you are going to engage in acts of terror, make them effective. Don't galvanize the enemy with small insults. And for those who are unable to figure it out on their own, I am not advocating the bombardment of Medina. I'd be far more likely to assent to assisting the Israelis in dismantling the Iranian nuclear establishment. Note also that I have not yet done that, either. Not that anyone is asking my assent or advice in that matter.