The History of Terrorism Quotes

“Generally speaking, any movement with a certain degree of social substance practices terrorism as a pressure tactic in order to squeeze concessions and a negotiated solution from the state. In the case of militant Islamism, the characteristic that sets it apart from all other movements, past and present, is that it has nothing to negotiate. The truth is that its fight is to the death.”
― Gérard Chaliand, The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda

“One cannot condemn terrorism without condemning all violence of every stripe. One must, at the very least, consider why and by whom it is being practiced.”
― Gérard Chaliand, The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda

“Western tradition considers violence legitimate only when it is practiced by the state. Such a limited definition takes no account of the terror practiced by those who have no other means of redressing a situation they deem to be oppressive.”
― Gérard Chaliand, The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda

“Terrorism is above all a tool or, if you will, a technique.”
― Gérard Chaliand, The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda