ABSTRACT
Terrorism is directed at the institutions or personages holding social and/or political power. Perhaps the greatest difficulty in coming to grips with terrorism is the problem of determining its nature and scope. Organizations such as the United Nations have yet to arrive at an acceptable definition of terrorism. Despite this, international conventions have been drawn up dealing with aspects of terrorism, i.e., kidnapping and hijacking. As far as can be determined for the United States, within a particular government agency the issue of terrorism may not be viewed as relevant to the central role and mission. When addressing the military capability to combat terrorism, aspects of civil-military relations also should be addressed. As the result of a presidential reorganization program in 1977, the Office for Combatting Terrorism was given the additional sway needed to function more effectively. The fact that the United States has been spared significant terrorism on its soil makes the lobbying for funds difficult.
