Terrorism Definitions
as of 27 August 2009
These definitions are set forth in US law, Title 22 of the US Code, Section 2656f(d).
Terrorism
Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.
International Terrorism
Terrorism involving citizens or the territory of more than one country.
Terrorist Group
Any group practicing, or which has significant subgroups which practice, international terrorism.
The following terms, taken from the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, are often encountered in a counterterrorism context: Asymmetric Warfare
Warfare in which belligerents are mismatched in their military capabilities or their accustomed methods of engagement. In such a situation, the militarily disadvantaged power must press its special advantages or effectively exploit its enemy’s particular weaknesses if the disadvantaged power is to have any hope of prevailing. Using an adversary’s strength against him, while exploiting his weaknesses.
Multilateral
Concerning activities involving more than two countries, or concerning activities of sub-regional, regional, or international organizations.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be either conventional high explosives or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
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