We are finding more and more countries who are acquiring technology not only missile technology and are developing chemical weapons and biological weapons capabilities to be used in theater and also on a long range basis. So I think that is perhaps the greatest threat that any of us will face in the coming years. The encyclopedia defines terrorism as the threat or use of violence, often against the civilian population, to achieve political ends. Terrorism involves activities such as assassinations, bombings, random killings, hijackings, and skyjacking. It is used for political, not military, purposes, and by groups too weak to mount open assaults.
Terrorism reaches back to ancient Greece and has occurred throughout history.
In the 20th century, acts of terrorism have been associated with the Italian Red Brigade, the Irish Republican Army, the Weathermen, Intifada, and Peru's Shining Path. It is a modern tool of the alienated and its psychological impact on the public has increased because of extensive coverage by the media. Governments find terrorism difficult to prevent, but international agreements to tighten borders or return terrorists for trial may offer some deterrence. The exact number of terrorist organizations in the world is unknown, but the United States government has 30 different organizations released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State on October 8, 1997. It has been in existence longer than any other terrorist organization, dating back to the time of the Norman Invasion.