ABSTRACT
Personal assaults on individuals can take place with a variety of weapons, but the goal is to indicate to the public and to specific groups that are supporting the government that there is a level of vulnerability or risk present. Most weapons used by dissident organizations are designed to inflict casualties or disruption on a small scale. Terrorist groups normally have little difficulty acquiring personal weapons. Weapons and techniques are related, of course, and weapons availability will influence what kinds of actions a terrorist group can even attempt. Terrorism can hurt an economy in multiple ways. Such economic warfare is primarily part of an attrition strategy, but it can involve elements of other strategic approaches as well. Clearly the strategy, tactics, targets, and weapons available to terrorists can vary. Available resources may be more important in determining which weapons, tactics, or targets are preferred rather than the political goals of the organization.
