Terrorism is a phenomenon very present in the entire world. Terrorists’ acts invade our consciousness through the media. Brian Jenkins (2006) noted that « Terrorism is theatre », and terrorist attacks attract the attention of the media. Indeed, terrorists use the media as a strategy to have more impact on the individual. It underlines the link between terrorism and the media. It shows that terrorism can be a weapon of powerful. Nevertheless, terrorism can be also the weapon of powerless. In the article “Psychological Sequelae of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks in New York City » by the New England Journal of Medicine, the terrorism ‘s phenomenon has some harmful impact on the mental health. « Terrorism is the war of the poor and powerless. War is the terrorism of the rich and powerful » declared Peter Ustinov (2009). This quotation underlines the link between terrorism, the terms powerless and powerful. Terrorism is born in the heart of the State. The meaning of « terrorism » is going to evolve from the beginning of the 19th century. It indicates a strategy of contesting violence of the State. Henceforth, terrorism is considered as a strategy of fight, which chooses the lowest to fight a stronger opponent militarily. The word « terrorism » has a lot of meanings. Faced with this phenomenon, the government have an important role in order to avoid terrorists to act. However, before finding effective solutions to the problem of terrorism it is important to understand this concept, which is very complicated. This essay will explore the link between terrorism and powerless. Is terrorism the weapon of powerless? On the one hand, terrorism is considered as the weapon of powerless. On the other hand, terrorism can be a weapon of powerful. Each part will examine the type of terrorism, the tactics used by terrorists and the motivations and causes of terrorism, which are different.
First, Terrorism is the weapon of powerless. The