2. TERRORISM
Terrorism—the planned threat or use of violence, often against the civilian population, to achieve political or social ends, to intimidate opponents, or to publicize grievances.
Terrorist is a pejorative term with the interpretation differing according to side in the conflict.
Soft targets are civilians and other undefended groups. 2

3. Types of Terrorism Domestic terrorism:
involves violent armed attacks against the people of one's own country.
Domestic terrorists usually disagree with mainstream values.
Terrorists are intolerant, rely on moral absolutes and broad conclusions. 3

4. Types of Terrorism
International terrorism refers to politically-motivated violent armed attacks against people in another country.
Reasons for terrorism
Ideological—seeing Western nations as economically exploiting
Practical—believing that terrorism works
Tactical—terrorists communicate while living in various places
Historical—terrorism traditionally seen as effective 4

5. Types of Terrorism
State-sponsored terrorism is a government's use of violence against its own people or in support of international violence.
Varies from death squads to providing safe havens
Cyberterrorism is any premeditated, politically motivated attack against computer and information systems
Includes computer worms and viruses 5

6. How Common is Terrorism?
Terrorism has a long history, extending back to biblical times.
The State Department has identified 44 active foreign terrorist organizations.
Terrorist groups operate in at least 60 countries.
The number of terrorist attacks were highest in the 1980s. 6

7. Terrorist Strategies
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) involve nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
Nuclear terrorism refers to weapons powered by atomic processes.
Nuclear proliferation refers to the ability of more nations to develop nuclear weapons. 7

8. Terrorist Strategies Nuclear bombs can create massive destruction.
The components can stay active for thousands of years.
Nuclear arsenals are vulnerable to saboteurs, smugglers, and terrorists. 8

9. Terrorist Strategies Biological terrorism: the intentional release
of potentially lethal viruses or bacteria into the air, food, or water supply.
The CDC has identified 36 biological agents that could threaten a population.
Contamination is fairly easy to accomplish. 9

10. Terrorist Strategies
Chemical terrorism refers to using manufactured gases or liquids that are highly toxic, can enter the body through the lungs or skin, and cause death within hours.
Chemical weapons are easier to make and deploy than germ warfare.
Many American facilities already use hazardous chemicals. 10

11. Causes of Terrorism
Economic reasons—Poverty increases the likelihood of terrorism, but the world's poorest countries have little terrorism.
Political reasons—
Countries with a very high
or very low degree of
political rights experience
much lower risks of terrorism
than countries in the middle. 11

12. Causes of Terrorism
Religious reasons—Some terrorists argue that they are fighting for religious freedom.
Social, cultural, and personal reasons—Those who feel oppressed, desperate, or cheated and have no other way of fighting may resort to terrorism. 12

13. Conflict Perspective Conflict theorists emphasize
negative characteristics and consequences.
War and terrorism
Create social and economic
costs
Violate human rights and civil
liberties
Benefit the power elite
Divide a population 13