Thus terrorism’s success cannot be judged merely by studying the statements of leaders; we must also consider the population on whose behalf terrorism is claimed to be undertaken. At its heart, terrorism is intended to be an altruistic act, aimed toward a political end that represents a better fate for those on whose behalf attacks are carried out. Terrorism without the pursuit of justice (at least as someone sees it) is nothing but mass murder and lacks the legitimacy necessary to attract a political following. When terrorism succeeds, as it rarely does, it yields benefits for those on whose
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