Legal Definitions - international terrorism

International terrorism refers to acts of violence or threats of violence committed by individuals or groups that transcend national boundaries. These acts are typically intended to intimidate a civilian population, coerce a government or international organization, or further political or social objectives. The "international" aspect arises when the planning, execution, victims, or perpetrators involve more than one country, or when the act is aimed at influencing a foreign government or international policy.

Here are some examples illustrating international terrorism:

• Example 1: A militant organization, headquartered in Country X, orchestrates a series of coordinated bombings in the capital city of Country Y, specifically targeting a popular tourist district frequented by visitors from around the world. The group claims responsibility, stating their goal is to pressure Country Y's government to withdraw its troops from a neighboring region.

  Explanation: This scenario exemplifies international terrorism because the perpetrators are based in one country (Country X) but carry out attacks in another (Country Y). The victims include citizens of multiple nations (international tourists), and the explicit aim is to coerce a foreign government (Country Y) into changing its policies, demonstrating a clear transnational scope and intent.

• Example 2: An individual, radicalized online by a foreign extremist ideology, travels from their home country to a third country where they attempt to carry out a lone-wolf attack against an embassy representing a nation they perceive as an enemy. The individual's actions are inspired by and linked to a broader international movement.

  Explanation: This illustrates international terrorism because the perpetrator's actions are influenced by an ideology originating outside their own country, they travel across borders to commit the act, and the target is a diplomatic mission of a foreign government. The act is intended to serve the goals of an international extremist movement, even if carried out by a single person.

• Example 3: A sophisticated cyberattack, launched simultaneously from servers located in several different countries, targets the critical infrastructure (such as power grids and financial systems) of multiple allied nations. The perpetrators, an anonymous group with known ties to a state-sponsored entity, aim to cause widespread economic disruption and panic across these nations to undermine their collective security alliance.

  Explanation: This constitutes international terrorism due to its transnational nature. The attack originates from multiple countries and targets the infrastructure of several different nations. The intent is to coerce multiple foreign governments and populations by causing widespread disruption and fear, thereby impacting international relations and security.