Terrorism with Its Differentiating Aspects

Abstract. Terror and terrorism are of many types, and this study focuses on political terrorism. Although this should be condemned whatever its political rationale, the international community is not united. This paper goes on to analyze the position of terrorism in terms of state terror, international relations, internal affairs, and transnational relations. State sponsorship is a particularly serious problem as it gives considerable advantages to the terrorists. Even democratic countries have shown an unfortunate willingness to tolerate terror in lesser ways. The stages through which ethnic terrorism may pass are illustrated. Finally, religiously-inspired terrorism is discussed. The study draws attention to the loose structures and anti-globalization message of al-Qaeda