Types of
Terrorism
A Guide to Different Types of Terrorism
From Amy Zalman, Ph.D., former About.com Guide
See More About:
nuclear terrorism
bioterrorism
definitions of terrorism
types of terrorism
Different types of terrorism have been defined by lawmakers, security professionals and scholars.
Types differ according to what kind of attack agents an attacker uses (biological, for example) or by
what they are trying to defend (as in ecoterrorism). Here, a comprehensive list of types of terrorism,
with links to more information, examples and definitions.
Types of Terrorism
Researchers in the United States began to distinguish different types of terrorism in the 1970s,
following a decade in which both domestic and international groups flourished. By that point, modern
groups had began to use techniques such as hijacking, bombing, diplomatic kidnapping and
assassination to assert their demands and, for the first time, they appeared as real threats to Western
democracies, in the view of politicians, law makers, law enforcement and researchers. They began to
distinguish different types of terrorism as part of the larger effort to understand how to counter and
deter it.
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State Terrorism
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Many definitions of terrorism restrict it to acts by non-state actors.
But it can also be argued that states can, and have, been terrorists. States can use force or the threat
of force, without declaring war, to terrorize citizens and achieve a political goal. Germany under Nazi
rule has been described in this way.
It has also been argued that states participate in international terrorism, often by proxy. The United
States considers Iran the most prolific sponsor of terrorism because Iran arms groups, such as
Hizballah, that help carry out its foreign policy objectives. The United States has also been called
terrorist, for example through its covert sponsorship of Nicaraguan Contras in the 1980s.
Bioterrorism
U.S. Government
Bioterrorism refers to the intentional release of toxic biological agents to harm and terrorize civilians,
in the name of a political or other cause.The U.S. Center for Disease Control has classified the viruses,
bacteria and toxins that could be used in an attack. Category A Biological Diseases are those most
likely to do the most damage. They include:
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
The Plague (Yersinia pestis)
Smallpox (Variola major)
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Hemorrahagic fever, due to Ebola Virus or Marburg Virus
Cyberterrorism
Cyberterrorists use information technology to attack civilians and draw attention to their cause. This
may mean that they use information technology, such as computer systems or telecommunications, as
a tool to orchestrate a traditional attack. More often, cyberterrorism refers to an attack on information
technology itself in a way that would radically disrupt networked services. For example, cyberterrorists
could disable networked emergency systems or hack into networks housing critical financial
information. There is wide disagreement over the extent of the existing threat by cyberterrorists.
Ecoterrorism
Ecoterrorism is a recently coined term describing violence in the interests of environmentalism. In
general, environmental extremists sabotage property to inflict economic damage on industries or
actors they see as harming animals or the natural enviroment. Thes have included fur companies,
logging companies and animal research laboratories, for example.
Nuclear terrorism
courtesy of Department of Homeland Security
"Nuclear terrorism" refers to a number of different ways nuclear materials might be exploited as a
terrorist tactic. These include attacking nuclear facilities, purchasing nuclear weapons, or building
nuclear weapons or otherwise finding ways to disperse radioactive materials.
Narcoterrorism
Narcoterrorism has had several meanings since its coining in 1983. It once denoted violence used by
drug traffickers to influence governments or prevent government efforts to stop the drug trade. In the
last several years, narcoterrorism has been used to indicate situations in which terrorist groups use
drug trafficking to fund their other operations.
Defining Terrorism -- Sources
Perspectives on Terrorism, an interactive project (Christian Science Monitor)
What is Terrorism? Class activies from the Constitutional Rights Foundation
What Is Terrorism? The BBC answers the question
Types of Terrorism: Narcoterrorism
History of Narco-funded Terrorism from NarcoTerror.org
U.S. Department of Defense Counter-Narcoterrorism Technology Office
MIT Report: A Better Narcoterrorism Strategy
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Types Of Terrorism
People often generalize terrorism however; there are three main types of
terrorism that is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world:
international, domestic, and political terrorism. With terrorist threats on the rise,
the nation is well aware of the possibility of yet another terrorist attack. Some
forms of terrorism take place in our own neighborhood, or place of work. Other
acts of terrorism are committed by American citizens, on American citizens.
Terrorists do not have to be from a foreign country, the majority of terrorism
that takes place in our country are from people that do not fit the terrorist
profile. From internet hacking, to car bombing, terrorism is a constant threat
today.
The most recognized type of terrorism is international terrorism. International
terrorism takes place all over the world however, the terrorism going on in the
Middle East, and Gaza Strip has been a raging war for decades. US foreign
policies take part in the motivation behind the acts of terrorism on 9/11. In the
holy war, terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, use US publicity t
Another form of terrorism that is often overlooked is domestic terrorism. Domestic
terrorism often occurs in the US, but is rarely referred to as “domestic terrorism.”
American’s abusing their rights is often the case as well. Acts of domestic terrorism
can include car bombing, internet hacking, and gang-related crimes. The mob is a
prime example of domestic terrorism that takes place in America. The mob was
running companies and government branches, through the dirty funds, and drug
money. Internet hacking is a very dangerous form of terrorism. Hackers can be
committing grand theft, and fraud while being 500 miles away from the desired
location. Hacking is the hardest form of terrorism to track simply due to today’s
technology. Internet terrorism can be committed internationally, and domestically.
From credit card numbers, to bank access codes, makes internet terrorism one of
the most important types of terrorism to be aware of today. From something as
simple as a car bomb, to internet related crimes, domestic terrorism is the broadest
form of terrorism, and takes place more often t
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