The parts played directly by military initiatives and their impacts on the development of terrorism and crime are numerous and varied. Military activities influence terrorism through impacts that are economic, political, and social. Military initiatives also impact terrorism in ways that are both direct and indirect.

Wars, violence, and military initiatives have their most direct effect in mobilizing affected communities to engage in acts of terrorism and resistance, either to halt military endeavors or to exact revenge for harms inflicted by military forces. Terrorism can occur as a means to halt aggression after it has begun or as a means to deter aggression prior to military attack. Commentators have noted the role that Western dominance of economies and politics in developing nations, not exclusively in Muslim ...