The Dangers of Terror in World Politics: International Terror Crises, 1918–2006

This study offers the concept of an International Terror Crisis (ITC) as a new unit of analysis in terror research. An ITC occurs when a terror act triggers inter-state hostility, violence, or war engendering regional or global stability. By using international crisis as a gauge for instability, this article demonstrates the value of ITCs and compares 26 ITCs to all international crises from 1918 to 2006. Findings show an increase in ITC occurrence, terror violence, and inter-state war, but a decrease in less severe inter-state violence. These changes, apparent in ITCs alone, indicate the dangers of terror in world politics.