Vulnerabilities to Terrorism

Abstract

In recent decades the nature of the terrorist threat has changed from narrow nationalistic political goals to motives cultivating an apocalytic religious fanaticism. While traditional froms of terror continue seeking ethnic autonomy, poloitical independence, and control of criminal enterprises, the tactics of groups like al-Qaeda have come to dominate public attention. Historically, terrorist events and phenomena were designed to produce minimal casualties and maximum public exposure. Today, modern terrorists seek not to limit casualties but to kill as many people as possible. Brutal, large-scale violence is the point of their activities.