Defining Terrorism:
“The definition of terrorism is subjectively defined by societal inputs and the perspective one has. What one holds out as terrorism, another may describe as revolutionary, or freedom fighting. These subjective inputs and perspective have a powerful effect on whether acts performed in the quest to achieve desired goals are ultimately seen as terrorism or fighting for freedom (Gaines, p. 109). States have defined terrorism broadly, such as the Russian parliament’s definition; “terrorism is the ideology and practice of violence for the influencing of decision-making by government authorities, local authorities, and international organizations, involving the frightening of the population and (or) other forms of illegal violent actions” (Hughes, p. 296). The United States defines with a similar broad definition of, “using illegal force or violence against people or assets, in order to scare or force a government, civilian population or parts of it, so that social and political goals are achieved” (Cohen, p. 19). These broad definitions seem to imply any violence against the government is an act of terrorism, including popular insurgencies or other armed conflicts” (Perspective on Terrorism: Freedom Fighter or Terrorist”, Barger, 12 Oct 2013).