Transnational Terrorism

The term transnational terrorism is often used to describe organizations, such as Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, that include militants of multiple nationalities and that operate in many countries at once. It is also sometimes used synonymously with international terrorism, or terrorism that involves citizens or the territory of more than one country.

The 1990s began a general trend away from terrorism perpetrated by state-sponsored, political groups toward terrorism committed by international networks of individuals that maintain contact by telephone and the Internet. Such transnational terrorism has grown through the easing of travel restrictions and the improvements in communication technology [Page 366]and international banking and finance. Transnational networks such as Al Qaeda travel often, seeking safe havens in countries that have weak governments and fairly open borders. They often set up training camps in remote areas, through which all new recruits pass before being ...