The war on terrorism is going to be long and unconventional, but the coalition chose a textbook time to launch its strikes on the Taleban - a Sunday night.
The theory says the enemy will be putting its feet up watching television on a Sunday - but that is just another day in Kabul and there is no TV. There are also not very many conventional targets - no massed tanks, no huge armies and no modern weapons.
The coalition has more forces at its disposal than the Taleban, but it has resisted the temptation to send in everything it has got.
The violent response that the Americans demanded to the events of September 11 has so far been measured, focused and careful. The coalition's initial aims will include eliminating the Taleban's ability, albeit limited, to fly any form of combat plane.
It will also be trying to remove the regime's capability to conduct anti-aircraft operations - giving the Americans greater freedom to go after other targets and enabling humanitarian aid to get through.
You can expect a significant reaction throughout the wider Islamic world - demonstrations at US and British consulates - mostly not favourable to the coalition cause.