Profiles Index

Carlos the Jackal--Profile of Carlos the Jackal
The terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal offered the image of terrorist as a glamorous, ruthless criminal able to pull off amazing capers, then elude authorities.

Abu Nidal -- A Profile of Terrorist Leader Abu Nidal
The Palestinian terrorist leader Abu Nidal was known in the 1970s and 1980s as a prolific, if paranoid, terrorist. Learn more about Abu Nidal here.

Leon Panetta - Profile of Leon Panetta, CIA Director
Leon Panetta, a longtime denizen of US politics and policy worlds, is the director of the CIA in the Obama Administration

Al Shabab (Somalia)
Al Shabab is a militant Islamist group in Somalia.

Yasir Arafat
Profile of Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat

Afghanistan's Taliban -- Former Government Is Now Insurgency
The Afghanistan Taliban were the United States' first target in the "war on terror," for providing safe haven to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda. They remain a major foe in Afghanistan, where they are spearheading an insurgency. Here, find out who the Taliban are.

Al Qaeda -- Profile of Al Qaeda
A profile of Al Qaeda, from Al Qaeda's beginnings by Osama bin Laden

Hamas
Hamas, the Gaza based Palestinian movement, is both a political party and a terrorist group known for its history of suicide bombings.

Sicarii: First Century Terrorists
In the first century after the birth of Jesus Christ, Jewish Sicarii used terrorist tactics--from assassination to kidnapping--to bring Roman rule of Judea to an end.

Secretary of State Designate Hillary Clinton -- Hillary Clinton on Terrorism and
Hillary Clinton is the likely Secretary of State in the Obama Administration. As the president's chief foreign policy advisor, she will have a strong role in how the U.S. deals with global terrorism and global security.

Ulrike Meinhof (Red Army Faction aka Baader Meinhof Gang)
Ulrike Meinhof's dramatic transformation from a celebrated journalist who wrote about leftist causes to an urban guerrilla committed to violent revolution made her one of Europe's most notorious twentieth century figures. She was one of the founding members of the German Red Army Faction.

Red Army Faction (also, Baader-Meinhof Group, Germany)
The left wing terrorist Red Army Faction, often referred to by the names of two of its founders, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof, committed terrorist acts in the name of Marxist-Leninist-Maoist revolutionary ideals.

Lashkar-e Tayyiba -- Guide to Lashkar-e Tayyiba
Pakistan militants, Lashkar-e Tayyiba, have played a substantial role in fostering Pakistan India conflict over Kashmir. Lashkar-e Tayyiba came under increased scrutiny following attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, which some attributed to the group.

2008: Mumbai Attacks
On November 26, 2008, attackers opened fire on foreigners and tourists in a number of locations in Mumbai, one of India's largest cities. The attack was unprecedented for the scale of its coordination and the effort to target foreigners, especially UK and US nationals.

Ergenekon- Guide to Ergekon, Accused of Terrorism in Turkey
Turkey has accused Ergenekon, an alleged network of highly placed government, military and others, of terrorist activity and a plot to overthrow the government.

2001: September 11 Attacks -- Guide to September 11 Terrorism in America
The 2001 September 11 Attacks were the most lethal terrorism in American attacks to date

Weatherman (aka Weather Underground)
Weatherman were committed to the violent overthrow of the U.S. government in the 1970s.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK) - Profile of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, was designated a terrorist group in 1871 by Congress. It continues to promote white supremacy through rallies and other expressions today.

Iran and Terrorism - State Sponsored Terrorism in Iran
In 2006, the State Department called Iran the "most active" state sponsor of terrorism in the world, for Iran's support of Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and potential to manufacture nuclear weapons.

FARC -- A Profile of the Colombia FARC guerrilla group
The Colombian FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces Group) is frequently described as the largest, oldest and best organized armed leftist group in South America. The United STates and Europe have classified it as a terrorist group.

Bill Ayers-- Profile of Bill Ayers, the Weatherman (aka Weather Underground)
Bill Ayers led the Weathermen, a 1970s student group, to violent action in the quest to achieve a classless society and protest the Vietnam war.

2008: Bombing of India Embassy in Kabul
The bombing of the India Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, quickly produced accusations from India, the United States, and others that Pakistan was behind the attack. Some analysts thought the bombing of the India Embassy in Kabul was the work of the Taliban, however.

Pakistan Kashmir Groups -- Pakistan Kashmir Group Jaish-e-Mohammed
Pakistan Kashmir based groups include Jaish-e-Mohammed, an organization actively committed to waging a self-declared "jihad" to "liberate" Kashmir from perceived Indian occupation.

Islamic Jihad -- A profile of Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Palestinian Islamic Jihad combines Palestinian nationalism, Islamist ideology, and a belief in armed confrontation with Israel.

Joe Biden on Terrorism, the Iraq War and Homeland Security
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden's views on the war on terror, the Iraq War and homeland security