terrorism

Terrorism is a global problem. Hunter S. Thompson said, “Terrorists don't wear uniforms, and they play by inscrutable rules — The Rules of World War III, which has already begun." There is no doubt that terrorism offsets a society’s balance, and that it will continue until appropriate measures are taken to prevent it. What is terrorism? This is not an easy term to define while covering all of its important aspects and features. The American Heritage Dictionary describes it as, “the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.” All the definitions used by the United States FBI, State Department, and Department of Defense vary, but touch on the identity, motives, and methods of “terrorists”. Terrorism is usually aimed at an audience, which was implied with terrorist expert Brian Jenkins’ statement in 1984, “Terrorism is theater.” In the United States, the word “terrorism” is most often used hand-in-hand with the events of September 11, 2001, but it is no new aspect. The word “terrorism” itself was contrived during France’s Reign of Terror when the leaders praised terror as the best way to defend liberty. Terrorism, then, initially held a positive meaning. Many early examples of terrorism are of religious roots, such as in the first century Middle East during the Roman occupation when the Jewish groups the Sicari and the Zealots killed in front of witnesses in order to send a message to the Roman authorities and those Jews who treasonably cooperated with them. The 11th century Assassins also killed in public to send a message, often on holy days to publicize and incite others to their cause. Civilians murdered by the Thuggee cult in seventh-century India were used as sacrifices to the goddess Kali. We must remember that there are many different types of