What is Terrorism?

Based on recent and current events, Terrorism has become the subject of much scrutiny. This section of the VFW Tioga Post 2149 Website provides a number of references in regards to this subject.

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.
 

The 3 major factors in terrorism are:

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

Terrorism is divided into 2 main groups. These are:

• 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 United States by countries or groups outside the United States.
  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.

Click the links on the left side to enter the Terrorism information section.