Redefining Terrorism: An Offshoot of Military Strategy

Various terrorist outfits or Actors Other Than States (AOTSs) are not only functionally similar in their motivation/objectives but are also driven by strategy which includes the means, ends or tactical and operational manoeuvring. This makes terrorism an extension of military strategy. The article views terrorism through a prism of military tactics and strategy in the historical backdrop of various forms of warfare. Drawing upon comparative analysis of the striking similarities in leading strategies and tactics between military forces of nation states, it argues that AOTSs make a conscious and significant use of military strategy in the pursuit of terrorist objectives.