Overview of State Sponsored Terrorism

According to The United States Department of Defense, terrorism is the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. The goal of terrorism is to win sympathizers for terrorist's cause, increase their following, and also create fear (terror) to their enemy. Acts of terrorism can be carried out by individuals, groups, or states. Today, Several states are identified as state sponsors of terrorism, such as Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea, and Sudan.

Iran, added in the list at 1984. Iran is a country in Central Eurasia. Iran has a population of over seventy million (predominantly Shia Islam followers). After Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran establised as Islamic republic under Theocratic regime. The Constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Shia Islam". Their religious leaders, the ulama, have always been a visible force in political and social life. In Shia doctrine, Jihad is one of the 11 Practices of the Religion. Jihad is essentially defensive warfare aimed at protecting Muslims and Islam. Thats why, Iran actively supports Hezbollah and Hamas. In their eyes, Hezbollah and Hamas were jihadist, a Muslim who is involved in a jihad. Unfortunelly, in English-speaking countries, the term "jihad", is frequently used to describe act of militant Islamic groups (Islamic terrorist).

Syria, is an Arab country in Southwest Asia. Syria has population of over nineteen million (predominantly Sunni Islam followers). Syrian regime has dominated by Asaad clan (Alawite). The Alawite are a sect of Shîa Islam. If Iran is Islamic republic under Theocratic regime, Syria is a republic under secular dictatorship. Syria has not been directly involved in terrorist operations since 1986, but Syria's involvement in terrorism is as "passive support". Syria has provided training, weapons, safe haven, and logistical support to terrorist groups. For example, Hamas trains terrorists in Syria. Syria and Iran work together over issues related to Hezbollah. In his own country, the Assad regime significantly restricts freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association. This regime also suppress the opposition, like Ikhwanul Muslimin in Hama massacre. The Hama massacre was terrorism action to Syrian people.

Cuba, is a Communist country at the Caribbean Sea. Cuba has population of over eleven million. As Communist state, Cuba became atheistic. This country added in the list at 1982. According to United States goverment, Cuba support Communist terrorism around the world, such as at South America and Africa. Cuba goverment has been accused of numerous human rights violations. Cuba support Ideological terrorism.

North Korea is a Communist country at East Asia. North Korean Government is organized as a dictatorship, with a pronounced cult of personality organized around Kim Il-sung (the founder of North Korea and the country's first and only president) and his son, Kim Jong-il. North Korea has population of over Twenty three million. Like Cuba, North Korea became atheistic, but the people of North Korea worship and praise Kim Jong-Il like a God. North Korea's involvement in terrorism is as "passive support". North Korea sell missile technology to Libya and Syria. Then, North Korea support separatist rebel such as Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In North Korea, Government control of all activities within a country, People are forced to do what the government tells them. Intimidation was the goverment tactic. The goverment create fear (terror) to their people.

Sudan, is a country in northeastern Africa. In Sudan's 1993 census, the population was recorded to be 25 million. This country added in the list at 1993. the United States goverment has accused Sudan of harboring members of al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Jamaat al-Islamiyya, and Egyptian Islamic Jihad. All of them classified as a terrorist organization. Osama Bin Laden lived at Sudan since 1991 until 1996. The Goverment of Sudan also protect Janjaweed (Arabic-speaking tribes that became notorious for alleged massacre, rape, forced displacement and torture in 1990 and from 2001-2005). The Janjaweed attacks targeting Black African farming communities. Like in Syria, this act was terrorism to their own people.