Fact Check: The US is a terrorist state

Fact Check: "The US is a terrorist state"

What We Know

The claim that "The US is a terrorist state" is a serious accusation that requires careful examination. The United States is not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by its own government. According to the Bureau of Counterterrorism, the countries currently designated as state sponsors of terrorism include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria. These designations are based on specific criteria that involve the repeated provision of support for acts of international terrorism. The U.S. government has established laws and regulations that define and designate state sponsors of terrorism, which do not include the United States itself.

Furthermore, the U.S. maintains a list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) that are designated under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This designation is intended to curb support for terrorism and does not implicate the U.S. as a terrorist entity (Foreign Terrorist Organizations).

Analysis

The assertion that the U.S. is a terrorist state lacks substantiation in official designations and legal frameworks. The U.S. government actively engages in counterterrorism efforts and has established a robust legal framework to combat terrorism, which includes designating foreign organizations as FTOs and state sponsors of terrorism (GAO-15-629).

Critically, the sources that support the claim often stem from political rhetoric or subjective interpretations of U.S. foreign policy rather than from legal definitions or government designations. For instance, while some critics may argue that U.S. military actions abroad constitute terrorism, this viewpoint does not align with the legal definitions established by U.S. law and international norms regarding state-sponsored terrorism (FBI).

Moreover, the U.S. has enacted laws such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which specifically targets terrorism and provides a framework for prosecuting individuals and organizations that engage in terrorist activities (USA PATRIOT Act, Sec. 325). This further underscores the U.S. government's commitment to combating terrorism rather than supporting it.

Conclusion

The claim that "The US is a terrorist state" is False. The United States is not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by its own government and actively engages in counterterrorism efforts. The legal frameworks and definitions established by U.S. law do not support the characterization of the U.S. as a terrorist state. Instead, the U.S. is involved in designating and combating organizations that are recognized as engaging in terrorism.

Sources

1. State Sponsors of Terrorism
2. Foreign Terrorist Organizations
3. GAO-15-629, Combating Terrorism: Foreign Terrorist Organization
4. Terrorism definitions
5. USA PATRIOT Act, Sec. 325
6. Providing Material Support To Designated Terrorist Organizations
7. Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security Threats
8. U.S. Announces Designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism