The discussion centers around whether the bombings of cities like Dresden, Tokyo, and Hiroshima should be classified as terrorism. One viewpoint argues against this classification, citing that these actions were lawful within the context of war and not driven by gang-related motives or ideological goals. It is emphasized that the civilian populations were aware of their governments' wartime status, which mitigates the perception of these bombings as acts of terror. Conversely, another perspective contends that the bombings were unnecessary for achieving military objectives and were intended to intimidate the Soviets. The argument highlights that while the bombings targeted cities with significant military value, the high civilian casualties raise ethical questions about their justification. Overall, the debate reflects differing interpretations of the definitions and implications of terrorism in the context of wartime actions.