ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author knows that some argue persuasively that the demonstrated futility of political terrorism ultimately militates against the success and even survival of terrorism as an instrument of international political pressure. Some objective characteristics and definitions have been worked out, and, it would seem, could be accepted by international community as the basis for a common front against a common evil. By contrast, the so-called “private” terrorist, with even less well-defined political objectives and decreasing bargaining power, may well reach for highly sophisticated logistical and weapons technology. Many terrorist organizations are affluent and easily armed with advanced weapons. International and transnational terrorism interact, as it were, in the area of so-called “surrogate warfare.” The author believes that capability for unified action by free nations is essential to the discouragement, prevention and punishment of terrorist activity. In a world of nation-states, state terror, confined to national boundaries, enjoys the protection of sovereignty and claims immunity from external interference.
