Terrorism Glossary
Definitions of some common terrorist and counter-terrorism terms (C-F):
C - F
CFF: Cambodian Freedom Fighters, a.k.a. Cholana Kantoap Serei Cheat Kampouchea based in Cambodia
chemical weapon: (JP 1-02) - Together or separately, (a) a toxic chemical and its precursors, except when intended for a purpose not prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention; (b) a munition or device, specifically designed to cause death or other harm through toxic properties of those chemicals specified in (a), above, which would be released as a result of the employment of such munition or device; (c) any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of munitions or devices specified in (b), above.
chemical agent: (CBRN Handbook) A chemical substance that is intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate people through its physiological effects. Excluded from consideration are riot control agents, and smoke and flame materials. The agent may appear as a vapor, aerosol, or liquid; it can be either a casualty/toxic agent or an incapacitating agent.
choking agents: (CBRN Handbook) Substances that cause physical injury to the lungs. Exposure is through inhalation. In extreme cases, membranes swell and lungs become filled with liquid. Death results from lack of oxygen; hence, the victim is "choked".
CIRA: Continuity Irish Republican Army based in Northern Ireland
conflict: (Army) - A political-military situation between peace and war, distinguished from peace by the introduction of organized political violence and from war by its reliance on political methods. It shares many of the goals and characteristics of war, including the destruction of governments and the control of territory. See FM 100-20.
CONUS: Continental United States
counter-terrorism: (CT) (JP 1-02) - Offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism. See FMs 19-1, 34-1, and 100-20.
Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (DFTO); A political designation determined by the U.S. Department of State. Listing as a DFTO imposes legal penalties for membership, prevents travel into the U.S., and proscribes assistance and funding activities within the U.S. or by U.S. citizens. From Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001, U.S. Department of State
DFLP: Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine based in the Occupied Territories
DHKP/C: Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front, a.k.a. Devrimci Sol or Dev Sol based in Turkey
Dirty Bomb: A dirty bomb, or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) uses conventional explosive to disperse radioactive material like that used in the medical arena over a given area. Though a dirty bomb may not cause immediate physical damage, the spread of radioactive material can render an area uninhabitable and cause cancers and other illness to those that are exposed.
dysfunctional state: Used in this circular to mean a nation or state whose declared government cannot fulfill one or more of the core functions of governance, such as defense, internal security, revenue collection, resource allocation, etc. Examples are
ELA: Revolutionary People's Struggle based in Greece
ELF: Earth Liberation Front
ELN: National Liberation Army based in Colombia
ETA: Basque Fatherland and Liberty based in Spain
ETIM: Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement based in China
failed state: A dysfunctional state which also has multiple competing political factions in conflict within its borders, or has no functioning governance above the local level. This does not imply that a central government facing an insurgency is automatically a failed state. If essential functions of government continue in areas controlled by the central authority, it has not "failed". Examples of failed states are Somalia and
FALN: Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional Puertorriquena, a.k.a. Armed Forces for Puerto Rican National Liberation
FARC: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
FPM: Morzanist Patriotic Front based in Honduras
FPMR: Manuel Rodriquez Patriotic Front based in Chile
Terrorism Glossary and Definitions
A-B | C-F | G-L | M-R | S-Z