Which scenario would be considered international terrorism?

Which scenario would be considered international terrorism?

• A. An act by a domestic group against a local target
• B. A cyber-attack by a domestic group against a local site
• C. An act carried out by a foreign group against a target in another country
• D. A nonviolent protest in a public square

Answer: (C)

International terrorism involves violence or the threat of violence carried out by actors operating across national borders against targets in another country to pursue political, ideological, or religious aims. The scenario described—an act carried out by a foreign group against a target in another country—fits because it shows a non-domestic actor executing violence in a different nation, creating cross-border impact and aligning with the international scope. The other options don’t fit international terrorism: a domestic group acting against a local target is domestic terrorism with no cross-border element; a domestic cyber-attack remains within the same country and involves cyber activity rather than cross-border violence; a nonviolent protest is not terrorism since it avoids the use or threat of violence to coerce or intimidate. The cross-border element is what distinguishes international terrorism.

International terrorism involves violence or the threat of violence carried out by actors operating across national borders against targets in another country to pursue political, ideological, or religious aims. The scenario described—an act carried out by a foreign group against a target in another country—fits because it shows a non-domestic actor executing violence in a different nation, creating cross-border impact and aligning with the international scope.

The other options don’t fit international terrorism: a domestic group acting against a local target is domestic terrorism with no cross-border element; a domestic cyber-attack remains within the same country and involves cyber activity rather than cross-border violence; a nonviolent protest is not terrorism since it avoids the use or threat of violence to coerce or intimidate. The cross-border element is what distinguishes international terrorism.