ABSTRACT
Forecasting changes in terrorist tactics, motivations, strategies, and capabilities is a demanding exercise given the nature of this particular form of violence. The perpetrators often belong to small, clandestine, and compartmentalized cells that are difficult to identify. They use the cloak of secrecy to plan their operations and at times intentionally change their organizational names to confuse authorities. There is both continuity and change in terrorist threats, which will ultimately pose an even greater challenge to an often fragile international order. An understanding of these trends may assist those who face the task of countering the threat to move beyond an essentially defensive and reactive posture.
