ABSTRACT
The political challenge posed by international terrorism becomes more complicated when state sponsorship of terrorist activity enters the picture. The most demanding problem in this regard has been the activity of Middle Eastern terrorist organizations. State backing, particularly by Syria, Iran and Libya, has made a major contribution to the terroristic range of operations and choice of targets. Western countries have constituted both a preferred target and a frequent arena of international terrorism for years. Terrorism as a mode of warfare, as a means to advance political objectives, is not a new phenomenon, neither is it unique to the Middle East. The complexity of the phenomenon has led countries to conduct inconsistent policies. In 1986 western states' attitudes toward international terrorism reflected varying approaches: growing firmness and display of collective concern were balanced by cautious moves and a search for immunity that has been proved practically ineffective, even in the short run.
