Terrorism

Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of violence against <a href="/facts/Non-combatant/na4esV7M">non-combatants</a> to achieve political or ideological aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violence during <a href="/facts/Peacetime/Dcnr9AfJ">peacetime</a> or in the context of <a href="/facts/War/MPluTbJ0">war</a> against <a href="/facts/Non-combatant/na4esV7M">non-combatants</a>. There are various different <a href="/facts/Definitions_of_terrorism/vWyt4Uam">definitions of terrorism</a>, with no universal agreement about it. Different definitions of terrorism emphasize its <a href="/facts/Randomness/QJQBoEX5">randomness</a>, its aim to instill <a href="/facts/Fear/BSzreRdS">fear</a>, and its broader impact beyond its immediate victims.
Modern terrorism, evolving from earlier iterations, employs various tactics to pursue political goals, often leveraging fear as a strategic tool to influence decision makers. By targeting densely populated public areas such as transportation hubs, airports, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and nightlife venues, terrorists aim to instill widespread insecurity, prompting <a href="/facts/Public_policy/fYl7gXaC">policy changes</a> through <a href="/facts/Manipulation_(psychology)/RLqHuGzV">psychological manipulation</a> and undermining confidence in security measures.
The terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" <a href="/facts/Reign_of_Terror/5CC1763y">originated during the French Revolution</a> of the late 18th century, but became widely used internationally and gained worldwide attention in the 1970s during <a href="/facts/The_Troubles/CvxR8ReG">the Troubles</a> in Northern Ireland, the <a href="/facts/Basque_conflict/A0dclwSa">Basque conflict</a> and the <a href="/facts/Israeli%25E2%2580%2593Palestinian_conflict/JU7ynqCl">Israeli–Palestinian conflict</a>. The increased use of <a href="/facts/Suicide_attack/M5M7TFHv">suicide attacks</a> from the 1980s onwards was typified by the <a href="/facts/September_11_attacks/PfWQcQNx">September 11 attacks</a> in the United States in 2001. The <a href="/facts/Global_Terrorism_Database/3JVzHpl8">Global Terrorism Database</a>, maintained by the <a href="/facts/University_of_Maryland%2c_College_Park/Wmc5R1kM">University of Maryland, College Park</a>, has recorded more than 61,000 incidents of non-state terrorism, resulting in at least 140,000 deaths between 2000 and 2014.
Various organizations and <a href="/facts/State-sponsored_terrorism/xYxPbbMp">countries</a> have used terrorism to achieve their objectives. These include <a href="/facts/Left-wing_terrorism/lU3sTdkv">left-wing</a> and <a href="/facts/Right-wing_terrorism/29Lw6lup">right-wing</a> political organizations, <a href="/facts/Nationalist_terrorism/VfoHtKrQ">nationalist groups</a>, <a href="/facts/Religious_terrorism/CUp4RygV">religious groups</a>, <a href="/facts/Revolutionary_terror/v8T6dff5">revolutionaries</a>, and <a href="/facts/State_terrorism/lyK1BrFm">ruling governments</a>. In recent decades, hybrid terrorist organizations have emerged, incorporating both military and political arms. <a href="/facts/State_terrorism/lyK1BrFm">State terrorism</a>, with its institutionalized instrumentation of terror tactics through <a href="/facts/Massacre/rq3gAegA">massacres</a>, <a href="/facts/Genocide/IjkNvg7y">genocides</a>, <a href="/facts/Forced_disappearances/9hKI94ns">forced disappearances</a>, <a href="/facts/Carpet_bombing/hXNvW3ck">carpet bombings</a> and <a href="/facts/Torture/oTCUxY3x">torture</a>, is a deadlier form of terrorism than non-state terrorism.

Terrorism open-in-new

Terrorism