Why Definining Terrorism Matters
Investigators continue to search for a motive in Wednesday's mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that left 14 people dead. And the mystery is adding fuel to the debate about whether to call such attacks terrorism.
Professor Bruce Hoffman is director of the Center for Security Studies and the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He's also written numerous books on terrorism.
Hoffman said there are several elements that determine whether an act of violence is an act of terrorism, including whether or not the perpetrators were politically motivated. "Were these individuals trying to have...some far-reaching psychological repercussions, beyond the immediate victims or targets?" he asked. "In other words, were they trying to impact a political system of influence political choices, or impact a society for political motive?"
In this interview, WNYC's Jami Floyd talks with Hoffman about what constitutes an act of terror.
