United States and Western European Terrorist Groups - Current Status and Future Perspective.

摘要

This study reviews selected recent and historical terrorist activity in the US and Western Europe. It discusses the current status of terrorist groups in the US, Ireland, Germany and Italy. Definitions of terrorism from authorities in the academic, political and intelligence arena are set forth. Philosphical difficulties with the concept of terrorism are discussed, including the moral dilemma terrorism episodes present to the world community. Terrorism's weaknesses are illustrated both philosophically and practically. Contemporary US terrorism is viewed in the context of a recurring social phenomenon the most recent incarnation dating approximately from the mid-sixties. Statistical accounting of claimed US terrorists incidents from January 1980 to December 1981, is set forth revealing a total of 71 incidents by various groups including Armenian, Jewish, Cuban Croation, Puerto Rican and others. Actions concerned with Puerto Rican terrorism are shown to account for more than 40% of all incidents during the two year period as well as the most significant damages and injuries. Wester European terrorism overview presented with specific details relating views of government officials on aspects of foreign direction, revealing general consensus of no direct evidence of Soviet or foreign control of plans and/or operations. Connection between various national terrorist groups acknowledged but no unified orchestration perceived on the part of many. Terrorism is compared with other social phenomena to place terrorism in its proper context for threat assessment.