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Threats & Emergencies  

Terrorism

Terrorism Home • Terrorism Basics • VDEM Terrorism Toolkit

VDEM Terrorism Toolkit

Introduction to Terrorism > About Terrorism

• Description of terrorism
• Methods
• Impact
• Threats

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Description of terrorism

Q: What is terrorism?
A: Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom.

• Terrorism involves criminal activity or actions. It is not simply a belief.
• Terrorism has political or social objectives.
• Terrorists bypass established institutions (such as courts), using violence against citizens to force changes in society and force governments to change policies toward their cause.

Q: If I feel strongly about something, and I am outspoken about my opinion, does this make me a terrorist?
A: No, having a strong opinion about something does not mean you are a terrorist. As Americans, we have the right to our own opinions under the U.S. Constitution – even if those opinions are unusual or unpopular. For example, some people don't believe in abortion or maybe they don't believe humans should consume animals for food. They have the right to express that opinion non-violently. However, when opinion is expressed by actions that violate the law and meet other characteristics of violence and coercion then that individual is a terrorist, and his actions constitute terrorism.

Q: What do terrorists look like?
A: Terrorists don't have any specific appearance. It is nearsighted to associate terrorism with any single group. Any organization can use terrorist means to achieve its political or social agendas. The most important thing that separates a terrorist organization from any legitimate organization is criminal actions.

Q: Where will terrorists strike?
A: Terrorists usually look for targets in locations where they can easily avoid detection before or after an attack, such as:

• International airports
• Large cities
• Major international events
• Resorts
• Landmarks

Q: Is there more than one type of terrorism?
A: Terrorism is divided into two main categories – domestic and international.

Domestic Terrorism:

• Domestic groups are based and operate entirely within the U.S. and Puerto Rico. These are groups that do not have any foreign entity or government direction, and whose acts are aimed at the U.S. government or its citizens.
• A well-known example of a domestic terrorist act is the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995.

International Terrorism:

• International terrorism is always foreign-based and is directed against the U.S. by countries or groups outside the U.S.
• The Sept. 11, 2001, bombings of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., are examples of international terrorism. Another example of international terrorism was the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998

Methods

Q: What weapons do terrorists use?
A: Terrorists may use weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction include toxic or poisonous chemicals, disease organisms, dangerous radiation, explosive incendiary or poison gas bombs, grenades, rockets or missiles, mines or similar devices.

Terrorists often use threats to create fear among the public -- to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes. This could include threats of mass destruction using weapons of mass destruction or more traditional kidnappings and airplane hijackings where hostages are held in exchange for money or some other demand.

Terrorists also use traditional weapons such as automatic guns or grenades in armed attacks on targets.

Q: Who has weapons of mass destruction?
A: The Department of Defense estimates that about two dozen nations may possess chemical agents and/or weapons. Additional nations are also seeking to develop them. The Central Intelligence Agency reports that at least 10 countries are believed to have, or to be conducting, research on biological agents for weaponization.

Impact

Q: What could it be like following a terrorist attack?
A: Depending on the severity and type of the attack, many things could happen in your community:

• There could be many casualties.
• There could be significant damage to buildings and the infrastructure.
• Health and mental health resources in the affected communities could be strained to the limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
• There could be heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels due to the event's criminal nature.
• An area may have to be evacuated.
• Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
• Cleanup may take months.
• Public fear could continue for a prolonged period.

Threats

Q: I've heard that terrorists can poison my drinking water. Can they?
A: The nation's drinking water supply is considered relatively safe because:

Most contaminants need to be used in very large quantities to contaminate a large public water system.

Many public water systems, particularly those serving large towns and cities, have treatment processes already in place that can deactivate many contaminants.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works in partnership with state and local governments to protect the nation's drinking water supply from terrorist attack. Drinking water utilities across the nation increased security and augmented surveillance and protection measures following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Q: What can terrorists do to affect the water I drink?
A: The primary terrorist threat to the nation's drinking water supplies is contamination by chemical, biological or radiological agents. Additional threats to the water supply are damage, destruction or sabotage of a water system's physical infrastructure and disruption to its computer system. Safeguards are in place to protect against these actions.