Terrorism Glossary
Definitions of some common terrorist and counter-terrorism terms (S-Z):
S - Z
setback: Distance between outer perimeter and nearest point of buildings or structures within. Generally referred to in terms of explosive blast mitigation.
SL: Sendero Luminoso, a.k.a. Shining Path based in Peru
SPIR: Special Purpose Islamic Regiment based in Chechnya
SSP: Sipah-I-Sahaba/Pakistan based in Pakistan
state: A politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially one that is sovereign.
TACON: Tactical control
TCG: The Tunisian Combatant Group, a.k.a. The Tunisian Islamic Fighting Group
terror tactics: Given that the Army defines Tactics as "the art and science of employing available means to win battles and engagements", then terror tactics should be considered "the art and science of employing violence, terror and intimidation to inculcate fear in the pursuit of political, religious, or ideological goals".
terrorism: (JP 1-02) - The calculated use of violence or threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. See FM 100-20.
terrorist: (JP 1-02) - An individual who uses violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve a result. See FM 100-20.
terrorist goals: The term goals will refer to the strategic end or end state that the terrorist objectives are intended to obtain. Terrorist organization goals equate to the strategic level of war as described in FM 101-5-1.
terrorist group: Any group practicing, or that has significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism (U.S. Dept of State).
terrorist objectives: The standard definition of objective is - "The clearly defined, decisive, and attainable aims which every military operation should be directed towards" (JP 1-02). For the purposes of this work, terrorist objectives will refer to the intended outcome or result of one or a series of terrorist operations or actions. It is analogous to the tactical or operational levels of war as described in FM 101-5-1.
toxic chemical agent: (CBRN Handbook) Produce incapacitation, serious injury, or death. They can be used to incapacitate or kill victims. These agents are the choking, blister, nerve, and blood agents.
toxin agent: (JP 1-02) - A poison formed as a specific secretion product in the metabolism of a vegetable or animal organism, as distinguished from inorganic poisons. Such poisons can also be manufactured by synthetic processes.
transnational: Extending or going beyond national boundaries (Websters). In this context, not limited to or centered within a single nation.
underground: A covert unconventional warfare organization established to operate in areas denied to the guerrilla forces or conduct operations not suitable for guerrilla forces.
UXO: Unexploded ordnance
VBIED: Vehicle borne improvised explosive devices.
WCOTC: World Church of the Creator
WEG: Worldwide Equipment Guide. A document produced by the TRADOC ADCSINT - Threats that provides the basic characteristics of selected equipment and weapons systems readily available for use by the OPFOR.
WMD: (JP 1-02) - Weapons of Mass Destruction. Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part of the weapon.
Terrorism Glossary and Definitions
A-B | C-F | G-L | M-R | S-Z