terrorakte

Terrorakte is the German term for acts of terrorism. In German-language discourse, it is used to describe violent acts intended to intimidate a population or to coerce governments, movements, or organizations. As a general label, it refers to incidents rather than to a single organization or event.

There is no universal legal definition of terrorism in international law; national and regional laws differ. Some classifications distinguish terrorism from war, crime, or legitimate political violence, while others apply the label to a broader range of politically motivated violence. The term is common in media, scholarly work, and policy debates.

Typical forms cited as terrorakte include bombings, shootings, hijackings, assassinations, and cyberattacks. Common aims are to produce fear, attract attention, influence public opinion, or pressure authorities. Civilian targets and symbolic sites are frequently mentioned, though motives and attribution vary widely across cases.

Researchers track incidents using databases and statistical methods, but definitions and coding choices shape results. Debates surround how to classify ambiguous acts, distinguish terrorism from insurgency or state violence, and account for overlap with organized crime or warfare. The term remains a flexible umbrella in both analysis and reporting.

See also: Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Global Terrorism Database.