Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, terrorism has become a catchword, but its origins are much older. The term stems from the bloody phase of the French Revolution known as the Reign of Terror. Historically, terror has been a strategy used by the state itself or the dominant class under stress, to suppress opposition and gain or regain control by fear. The extreme methods are the trademark of totalitarianism-the politicization of every aspect of life. However, terror is also a strategy available to non-state actors who have neither legitimacy nor police. In fact, terrorism is probably the only effective strategy available to a weak group or movement against an overwhelmingly stronger adversary.