How World-Wide Terrorism Has Changed During the Past Half Century

• In Event: Presidential Thematic Session: Changing Social Institutions, Cultures, and Crime

Abstract

It has been nearly 50 years since satellite technology made it possible for reports of terrorism from anywhere in the world to appear almost instantaneously in the print and electronic media. In the past half century there have been major changes in the groups responsible for terrorism, the strategies, tactics and weapons used, the locations where it occurs, the deadliness of attacks and the motives of the attackers. In this presentation I rely on the Global Terrorism Database to track some of these changes. The ideological framework for terrorism shifted dramatically during this period as a new left wave of terrorism ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union and a new religious wave epitomized most famously by al Qaida and the Islamic State gained momentum. Along with these developments the locus of terrorism shifted from Western Europe and North America to the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Terrorist attacks became deadlier. They were less likely to be claimed by specific groups. Lone wolf attacks became more common. There were subtle changes in tactics, targets and weapons. Many terrorist organizations embraced and effectively used the Internet and social media. And perhaps most importantly, national responses to terrorism also went through major changes, some of which will have a lasting impact.

Author

• Gary LaFree, University of Maryland