Al-Qaeda

"The Base" in Arabic. A global terrorist organization started by well known Saudi terror financier Osama Bin Laden, it is widely considered responsible for the attacks on 9/11.

Bioterrorism

An act of terrorism that utilizes infectious biological agents. Considered by academics to be the type of terrorism with most potential for harm, bioterrorism relies on the contagious nature of microorganisms like anthrax and smallpox virus instead of a conventional explosive device or armed attack.

Counter-Terrorism

The act of a state in defense against terrorist groups and actions.

The Department of Homeland Security

An agency set up by the US government to monitor immigration and prevent acts of terrorism on US soil.

Domestic Terrorism

Terrorist activity coming from within the target state, as opposed to activity originating from a foreign nation.

I.E.D.

Short for Improvised Explosive Device. A favorite weapon of terrorist groups in Iraq and Afghanistan for use against American soldiers.

Jihad

"Struggle" in Arabic, usually denotes a struggle for Allah, or God. The term has been hijacked by terrorist groups to justify their actions to more moderate Muslims, and by some advocacy groups in America to stigmatize all Muslims as terrorists.

Martyr

A person who is revered for sacrificing his or her life for a particular cause. Many leaders of terrorist organizations have promised martyrdom and special treatment in the afterlife in exchange for participation in suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks.

Militant

In modern usage, a person who uses combative and violent methods to further his or her political ends. The term is often used to refer to and describe terrorist fighters.

Nuclear Terrorism

Terrorism that uses or threatens to use a nuclear device. So far, there have been no accounts of successful acts of nuclear terrorism.

Suicide Bomber

A terrorist operative who detonates explosives with the intention of both destroying his objective and killing himself.

Terrorism

The act of violence against people or institutions by a non-government entity to demonstrate a political message through fear.

The War on Terror

A campaign began by President George W. Bush after the attacks on 9/11, described as an intensive effort to prevent a similar attack from happening again, and to root out any groups with the intention of committing an attack.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

A weapon that can kill or bring harm to a large number of people or places in a short period of time, such as a nuclear bomb.