The changing nature of terrorism

The recent attacks by ISIS in Beirut (last Thursday), Paris (last Friday), the Russian airliner over Egypt a few weeks ago, and in Baghdad (also last Friday) seem to show a new wave and new form of terrorism, according to much political analysis in the media.

Terrorism is remarkably difficult to define accurately. Bruce Hoffman has defined terrorism as "Violence — or, equally important, the threat of violence — used and directed in pursuit of, or in service of, a political aim." The United Nations defines it as "The act of destroying or injuring civilian lives or the act of destroying or damaging civilian or government property without the expressly chartered permission of a specific government, this by individuals or groups acting independently… in the attempt to effect some political goal"