Definition of Terrorism
If you ask anyone you know, it is likely that they will be able to recall exactly where they were on September 11, 2001. This sad day in American history was a defining moment in the war on terrorism that exists in the United States today.
Terrorism consists of criminal activity. There is no single definition of terrorism since it encompasses a range of activity all designed to intimidate and instill fear. However, one well-known definition of terrorism is in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Policy and Counterterrorism Guidelines. This definition states that terrorism is ''a violent act or an act dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any state to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.''
Types of Terrorism
There are two types of terrorism. Initially, there is domestic terrorism. Domestic terrorism includes acts of terror which are committed by those who are located in and operate from the United States. Moreover, the efforts of a domestic terrorist are solely aimed towards the United States. Conversely, international terrorism is a type of terrorism which includes acts of terror committed by individuals affiliated with foreign countries. The efforts of international terrorism is typically to further a political or social objective.
