Definition:
Terrorism is distinguished from other acts of violence, and from war, by always having these four characteristics:
- Terrorists violate the rules of modern warfare, established in acts called the Geneva Conventions and Hague Conventions; or they are actors (e.g., sub-state groups) who can't declare war legitimately;
- Its goal is to achieve political change;
- Its targets are symbolic of the political issue in question;
- Acts of terror are designed to get attention from the public and media.
- Also see definitions of terrorism from the United States government and international bodies and conventions.