ABSTRACT

The post-colonial history of many states in Asia and Africa has been characterized by prolonged terrorist campaigns waged by separatist minority ethnic groups struggling for a measure of political recognition. Many of these conflicts became entangled in the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, who frequently backed rivals in the struggle. They supplied the weapons and equipment used by the terrorists and their government opponents in their battles for power, and sometimes took direct action in support of their clients.