A few weeks ago, THE MESSAGE undertook a broad and detailed analysis of terrorism—its origins, driving forces, and enablers. It explored the involvement of certain nations and individuals, including a focus on Osama bin Laden, a central figure in modern global terrorism.

Contrary to popular belief, terrorism is not a recent phenomenon nor exclusive to the modern era. It has long been part of human history—especially since humanity’s desires began to outstrip basic needs, giving rise to greed and the struggle for dominance.

Records trace the earliest known act of terrorism to over two thousand years ago, when a radical faction of the Zealots—a Jewish politico-religious movement—resisted Roman rule over Judea. The Zealots emerged in 6 A.D. following the imposition of direct Roman governance and a controversial census for taxation. They argued that recognizing the authority of the Roman Empire meant renouncing the supremacy of God and embracing enslavement.

Under the leadership of Judas of Galilee, a Zealot subgroup known as the Sicarii—literally “dagger men”—adopted violent tactics, assassinating Roman officials and even Jews who supported or collaborated with Roman authorities. Though the initial rebellion was crushed and many Sicarii, possibly including Judas himself, were killed, their ideology lived on. One of Jesus Christ’s disciples, Simon, was even identified as a Zealot (see Luke 6:15).

According to Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, the Zealots played a significant role in fueling the Jewish revolt against Rome in 66 A.D. They defended Jerusalem until its fall in 70 A.D., after which a remnant held out at Masada fortress until 73 A.D., ultimately choosing mass suicide over surrender.

That early experience of resistance through terror laid the groundwork for others around the world to adopt terrorism as a method for asserting their rights. From then on, terrorism became a recurring phenomenon—a volatile weapon that could be wielded either deliberately or accidentally, anywhere and anytime.

A notable example is the medieval Islamic sect known as the Assassins, who targeted Crusaders between 1090 and 1272 A.D. Their tactics—including suicide missions and ideological martyrdom—echo many of the methods seen in contemporary extremist groups. They believed such acts were sacred and guaranteed heavenly reward for the perpetrators.

The term “terrorism” itself gained political relevance during the French Revolution (1789–1799), where it was used to describe the Reign of Terror (Régime de la Terreur), a brutal state campaign aimed at eliminating opposition and enforcing revolutionary ideals. While it was originally tied to the pursuit of democracy, the excesses of the period transformed it into a tool of fear, thus embedding the word “terrorism” with negative connotations.

By the late 19th century, the term was adopted by Russian revolutionaries who used it to describe their violent struggle against the Tsarist regime. Since then, terrorism has become synonymous with antigovernment resistance.

As defined by Encyclopedia Encarta, terrorism is inherently political—it revolves around the use of power and coercion to force others into submission. The objective is not merely destruction but visibility; terrorists seek maximum publicity to amplify their message, project power, and create fear. In many cases, they justify their violence by claiming that all other avenues for change have failed. Whether or not one accepts this rationale depends on which side of the ideological divide one stands. This subjectivity gave rise to the phrase: “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”

While terrorism may seem primitive, its modern-day potency is largely due to advances in technology and global interconnectedness. In earlier centuries, terrorism was typically a reaction to oppressive governance. But with technological developments—particularly the invention of explosives and communication networks—terrorism became more organized and, in some cases, state-sponsored.

A key trait of terrorists is their calculated approach. They do not act at random. Every attack is carefully orchestrated to generate media attention and inflict psychological damage. For example, the al-Qaeda attack on the U.S. embassy in Kenya in 1998 was reportedly five years in the making.

Terrorist operations involve various stages: intelligence gathering, logistics, weapons acquisition, safe-house preparation, and escape route planning. These tasks are often executed by independent cells, each unaware of the others’ operations—a structure that ensures secrecy and operational resilience.

Terrorism frequently targets civilians, not necessarily for personal reasons, but to induce fear, paralyze society, and gain leverage. Attacks may focus on diplomatic institutions, military facilities, corporate offices, and public infrastructure like airports, buses, and rail systems. Often, symbolic locations are chosen to draw attention to a cause more than to inflict physical harm.

One consistent feature of international terrorism in the modern era is the high frequency of attacks against the United States. Since 1968, U.S. citizens and interests have been primary targets due to the country’s global presence, military reach, and its position as the world’s leading superpower.

Although many terrorist groups ultimately fail to achieve long-term strategic goals, violence has occasionally produced political outcomes that might have otherwise been impossible. For example, terrorist campaigns have resulted in prisoner releases, concessions from intransigent governments, and increased global awareness of previously overlooked grievances.

During the anti-colonial struggles that followed World War II, some nationalist movements used terrorism as a means of resistance. Countries like Algeria, Cyprus, and Kenya gained independence through such movements. Notable figures once branded as terrorists—such as Menachem Begin of Israel, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus, and Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria—eventually rose to lead their nations.

In the post-1960s era, terrorism became more ideologically driven. Groups like the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) used terrorism to spotlight their demand for a sovereign Palestinian state. A defining moment came in 1968 when the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hijacked an El Al commercial flight—the first politically motivated hijacking designed to provoke an international crisis.

Arguably, the most shocking act that catapulted the Palestinian cause to global prominence was the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where 11 Israeli athletes were brutally murdered. While the incident was widely condemned, it forced the world to confront the Palestinian struggle, culminating in the PLO being granted observer status at the United Nations just two years later. By then, the PLO had established diplomatic ties with over 80 countries—surpassing even Israel.

Terrorism’s impact has not been limited to the Middle East. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, widely seen as a terrorist act, sparked World War I. That global conflict paved the way for the Russian Revolution and the rise of the USSR, which polarized the world into capitalist and communist blocs, leading to the Cold War.

In more recent times, religion has often been mischaracterized as the main driver of terrorism, partly because of high-profile assassinations like those of Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat in 1981 and Israel’s Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1994—both carried out by extremists invoking religious justification. However, this interpretation oversimplifies the issue, as terrorism stems from diverse causes, not just religion.

Today, terrorism exists in two interconnected forms: internal and external. Internal terrorism—rooted within a country—is often more complex and harder to address than external threats. But how, then, can the global community confront this multifaceted menace?

That vital question will be the focus of next Friday’s piece, God willing (In sha’a Llah). Stay tuned.