a clandestine group of southeast Asian terrorists organized in 1993 and trained by al-Qaeda; supports militant Muslims in Indonesia and the Philippines and has cells in Singapore and Malaysia and Indonesia
Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian Islamist group closely linked to al-Qaeda, bombed a nightclub in Bali in 2002, killing 202 people, and carried out a series of suicide bomb attacks in Bali in 2005, killing twenty people.
a militant organization of Irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive British forces from Northern Ireland and achieve a united independent Ireland
Successor organizations of the IRA, including the Provisional IRA, continued to wage a terrorist campaign for independence for Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1988, al-Qaeda is a Sunni Islamist organization that has carried out several high-profile terrorist attacks, including the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the suicide attack on the USS Cole in 2000, and the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., on 11 September 2001.
an uprising by Palestinian Arabs (in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank) against Israel in the late 1980s and again in 2000
Most terrorist attacks occurred during the first Intifada, a period of Palestinian uprising from 1987 to 1993, and during the second Intifada, which began in 2000.
a radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities
Terrorists typically have little regard for innocent noncombatants.
a political movement that uses terror as a weapon to achieve its goals
Occasionally, a terrorist group may develop such broad support that the group serves as a de facto government over a particular region or country, as in the case of the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
a terrorist organization whose goal is to take over Japan and then the world; based on a religion founded in 1987 that combines elements of Buddhism with Christianity
Aum Shinrikyo, a Japanese religious cult and terrorist organization, carried out sarin gas attacks on subway systems in Tokyo and Matsumoto.
an atom bomb that leaves considerable radioactive contamination
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, governments expressed concern that terrorist groups might use a radiological dispersal device (RDD), or dirty bomb, which is conventional explosives used to spread radiological material.
terrorism practiced by a government against its own people or in support of international terrorism
Examples of state-sponsored terrorism include Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) ordering the burning of the Reichstag (the seat of the German government) in 1933 in order to blame the event on Communists; Libya’s involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988; and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s support of al-Qaeda.
a political movement uniting Palestinian Arabs in an effort to create an independent state of Palestine; when formed in 1964 it was a terrorist organization dominated by Yasser Arafat's al-Fatah; in 1968 Arafat became chairman; received recognition by the United Nations and by Arab states in 1974 as a government in exile; has played a largely political role since the creation of the Palestine National Authority
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in 1964 with the goal of establishing an Arab Palestinian state in Israel.
a Shiite terrorist organization with strong ties to Iran; seeks to create an Iranian fundamentalist Islamic state in Lebanon; car bombs are the signature weapon
Most Islamist terrorist groups are active in only small regions, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Israel, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines, and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India.
the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
Terrorism is the attempt to achieve a goal through violent or destructive acts intended to induce change by instilling fear among a group of people.
a terrorist network intensely opposed to the United States that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist groups; has cells in more than 50 countries
Terrorists may act individually, as with the case of the Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski, who killed three people and wounded twenty-two with his mail bombs), or as part of a larger movement that has operations around the world, as with the case of the international terrorist network, al-Qaeda.
a brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India
During the November 2008 deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, the attackers, initially labeled as members of an Islamist terrorist group known as Lashkar-e-Taiba, managed highly coordinated attacks using satellite-based GPS navigation equipment, satellite imagery, and Internet-based communications networks built upon voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology that frustrated security officials in India who tried to trace or intercept the calls.
a city in western India just off the coast of the Arabian Sea; India's 2nd largest city (after Calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western India
During the November 2008 deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, the attackers, initially labeled as members of an Islamist terrorist group known as Lashkar-e-Taiba, managed highly coordinated attacks using satellite-based GPS navigation equipment, satellite imagery, and Internet-based communications networks built upon voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology that frustrated security officials in India who tried to trace or intercept the calls.
a terrorist organization whose goal is to take over Japan and then the world; based on a religion founded in 1987 that combines elements of Buddhism with Christianity
Aum Shinrikyo, a Japanese religious cult and terrorist organization, carried out sarin gas attacks on subway systems in Tokyo and Matsumoto.
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
After the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, Ireland was divided into the independent Republic of Ireland and British-controlled Northern Ireland.
a conspiracy in 1605 in England to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament to avenge the persecution of Catholics in England; led by Guy Fawkes
The roots of modern terrorism can be traced back nearly two hundred years before the French Revolution, however, to the unrealized 5 November 1605, “Gunpowder Plot” of Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), who planned to blow up English Parliament and kill King James I. Even with the availability of explosives in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, acts of terrorism remained rare until the rise of anarchism in the mid-nineteenth century.
a small gang of terrorist thugs claiming to seek a separate Islamic state for the Muslim minority in the Philippines; uses bombing and assassination and extortion and kidnapping
Most Islamist terrorist groups are active in only small regions, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Israel, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines, and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India.
the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
The roots of modern terrorism can be traced back nearly two hundred years before the French Revolution, however, to the unrealized 5 November 1605, “Gunpowder Plot” of Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), who planned to blow up English Parliament and kill King James I. Even with the availability of explosives in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, acts of terrorism remained rare until the rise of anarchism in the mid-nineteenth century.
a division of the United Kingdom located on the northern part of the island of Ireland
After the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, Ireland was divided into the independent Republic of Ireland and British-controlled Northern Ireland.
English conspirator who was executed for his role in a plot to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament (1570-1606)
The roots of modern terrorism can be traced back nearly two hundred years before the French Revolution, however, to the unrealized 5 November 1605, “Gunpowder Plot” of Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), who planned to blow up English Parliament and kill King James I. Even with the availability of explosives in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, acts of terrorism remained rare until the rise of anarchism in the mid-nineteenth century.
a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect or party or denomination
Islamist terrorists generally are motivated by extreme interpretations of Islam, sectarianism, anti-capitalism, and a desire to have foreign troops removed from traditionally Islamic regions.
a mountainous landlocked country in central Asia; bordered by Iran to the west and Russia to the north and Pakistan to the east and south
Examples of state-sponsored terrorism include Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) ordering the burning of the Reichstag (the seat of the German government) in 1933 in order to blame the event on Communists; Libya’s involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988; and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s support of al-Qaeda.
a fundamentalist Islamic militia; in 1995 the Taliban militia took over Afghanistan and in 1996 took Kabul and set up an Islamic government
Examples of state-sponsored terrorism include Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) ordering the burning of the Reichstag (the seat of the German government) in 1933 in order to blame the event on Communists; Libya’s involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988; and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s support of al-Qaeda.
a militant organization of Irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive British forces from Northern Ireland and achieve a united independent Ireland
Formed in 1913 as the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) fought for Irish independence from Britain.
a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
One society may label a suicide bomber as a terrorist, while another society may refer to the bomber as a martyr, freedom fighter, revolutionary, or separatist.
a political theory favoring the abolition of governments
The roots of modern terrorism can be traced back nearly two hundred years before the French Revolution, however, to the unrealized 5 November 1605, “Gunpowder Plot” of Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), who planned to blow up English Parliament and kill King James I. Even with the availability of explosives in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, acts of terrorism remained rare until the rise of anarchism in the mid-nineteenth century.
a terrorist who blows himself up in order to kill or injure other people
One society may label a suicide bomber as a terrorist, while another society may refer to the bomber as a martyr, freedom fighter, revolutionary, or separatist.
Arab terrorist who established al-Qaeda (born in 1957)
On 13 September 2009, just two days after the United States marked the eighth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks, an audio recording purportedly by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was posted to an Islamic Web site.
the revolution in France against the Bourbons; 1789-1799
The terms “terrorism” and “terrorist” entered the lexicon in the 1790s when British journalists, historians, and politicians used those words to refer to the Jacobins (radical republicans) and other violent rebels of the French Revolution (1789–1799).
In 1946, Irgun, a militant Zionist group, bombed the wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem that served as the military and administrative headquarters for the British Mandate of Palestine, killing ninety-one people.
an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security
International law does not provide a single definition of terrorism, but the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1566 (2004) contains the best attempt by the United Nations at providing one.
the body of laws governing relations between nations
International law does not provide a single definition of terrorism, but the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1566 (2004) contains the best attempt by the United Nations at providing one.
a republic in eastern Africa; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1963; major archeological discoveries have been made in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya
Founded in 1988, al-Qaeda is a Sunni Islamist organization that has carried out several high-profile terrorist attacks, including the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the suicide attack on the USS Cole in 2000, and the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., on 11 September 2001.
the first Stuart to be king of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625 and king of Scotland from 1567 to 1625; he was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and he succeeded Elizabeth I; he alienated the British Parliament by claiming the divine right of kings (1566-1625)
The roots of modern terrorism can be traced back nearly two hundred years before the French Revolution, however, to the unrealized 5 November 1605, “Gunpowder Plot” of Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), who planned to blow up English Parliament and kill King James I. Even with the availability of explosives in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, acts of terrorism remained rare until the rise of anarchism in the mid-nineteenth century.
German Nazi dictator during World War II (1889-1945)
Examples of state-sponsored terrorism include Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) ordering the burning of the Reichstag (the seat of the German government) in 1933 in order to blame the event on Communists; Libya’s involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988; and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s support of al-Qaeda.
biological
