What is terrorism?
Terrorism is the use of force or violence against people or property to create fear and to get publicity for political causes. Terrorists are criminals and when they are caught they are put on trial. Acts of terrorism include: threats of violence, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, and the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
Targets for terrorism include government buildings, large airports, big cities and national landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, and utilities such as electric plants. Terrorists might also spread fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through the mail.
Today's Most Prominent National Disaster
The United States and its population may be especially vulnerable to an attack with Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The United States is the target of 40 percent of the terrorist attacks worldwide.
Since September 11 Attacks
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on New York and Washington, not only sent seismic shockwaves through American society, they jolted the U.S. government into action. Although originally cast as a war against terrorists with global reach (al Qaeda), the war on terrorism has ballooned into a global war against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. The threat of direct terrorist attack against the United States proved to be real. And the subsequent anthrax cases point to the possibility of a future bioterrorist attack, including use of the deadly smallpox virus. The nature of terrorism is such that it is impossible to accurately predict the probability of such an attack, but the potential consequences are catastrophic. Therefore, it is a serious threat that deserves serious attention.