Whether state sponsored, independent, international, or domestic, terrorism depends on surprise and shock. According to the FBI, terrorism is the "unlawful use of force or violence, committed by a group(s) of two or more individuals, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."
The US... Read more >
Terrorist groups can be found in every country. Some are small enclaves of radicals committing relatively minor acts of domestic terrorism. Others, like the Islamic Jihad and Al Qaeda (the Bin Laden Network), are widespread and commit large-scale acts of domestic and international terrorism. Many of these terrorist groups, such as FARC, target political figures or entities, but there are almost always civilian... Read more >
Terrorism is an epidemic that plagues the world. Terrorists use surprise and our own fear in an attempt to achieve their own goals. They use weapons of mass destruction to send the message that they should be feared, but you can defend yourself.
Imagine terrorism as a natural disaster. Like an earthquake or a tornado, terrorism requires preparation and knowledge. With proper preparation and staying... Read more >
Many of the basics of terrorism preparedness are the same sensible precautions that people take against natural disasters. As anyone who's lived through a hurricane, earthquake, or tornado can tell you, having the necessary supplies to be self-sufficient can save your life.
Prepare Yourself for Delays
On a day-to-day basis you'll notice that the threat of terrorism has caused delays. Airport security is... Read more >
The most obvious terrorist threat is violence: Death, injuries and kidnappings occur during terrorist attacks. But there is an even greater threat that we sometimes lose sight of because of the violence — the threat to the social infrastructure.
Resources that could be used in other areas are spent on terrorist deterrents. People lose confidence in their government's ability to protect them. The stock... Read more >
Although terrorism is often seen as an international phenomenon, domestic terrorism occurs the world over. The United States has seen numerous acts of domestic terrorism, some more violent than others.
The Weathermen
The Weathermen (a.k.a the Weather Underground) were a radical left-wing group active in the early 1970s. During the last years of the Vietnam War they bombed university buildings, government... Read more >
The Aum Shinrikyo
The Aum Shinrikyo (Aum, Aum Supreme Truth, Aleph) is a doomsday cult established in 1987 by Shoko Asahara with the goal of taking over Japan and then the world. The Aum came to the world's public eye on March 20, 1995 in their coordinated sarin nerve gas attack on Tokyo subway trains, which killed twelve people and injured thousands more. Two months later, Asahara was arrested on suspicion that... Read more >
Anthrax spores in the mail. Car bombs. Biological warfare. Nuclear weapons. These are all terrifying outcomes of terrorism. And worse, the terrorists don't even have to use them; we just have to think that they will.
The true power of terrorism lies in fear: fear that interferes with day-to-day living and makes us afraid to open our mail without checking with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for... Read more >