OTTAWA—There is no question that when the topic around the water cooler turns to terrorism—not that I hope or think that it often does, but as far as the average citizen is concerned, the particular brand of terrorism that garners the most attention is that of Islamist extremism. Whether we are talking about the Islamic State, al-Qaida, Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, or any one of a depressingly large number of extremist organizations, it’s hard to argue that this emphasis and association are wrongly placed. All you have to do is pick up any newspaper on any day (or search any online news site) and I am certain you will find at least one story, and far too often many stories, of attacks perpetrated by a group of this ilk. This, of course, has become the new normal in most people’s minds, at least since 9/11, if not before.