On September 11, 2001, the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed the mindset and opinion of almost all Americans on one of the most vital issues of the 21st century: terrorism (Hoffman 2). Before we can begin to analyze how the United States should combat such a perverse method of political change, we must first begin to understand what terrorism is, where it comes from, and why terrorism exists. These questions are essential in America's analysis of this phenomenon that has revolutionized its foreign policy and changed America's position in the world. The word terrorism was first used during the French Revolution from the Reign of Terror inflicted by the French from 1784 to 1804 ("International Affairs"). It was used to describe the violent acts perpetrated against the French that inflicted terror on various peoples and instilled fear in them. At the time, however, it had a more positive connotation than the term that today inspires fear. During the French Revolution this was because it referred to state-sponsored terrorism to show the need for the state instead of anarchy, sometimes promoted by other groups (Hoffman 2). Therefore, although terrorism has taken on a new nature, terrorism can refer to official governments or guerrilla groups operating outside national governments ("International Affairs"). To embrace the various sectors of terrorism and explain it to public opinion, both in its positive and negative aspects, many analysts have tried to say it in a few words. Terrorism is a method used by closely or loosely organized groups operating within states or international territories that systematically use deliberate acts of violence or threats in order to instill... middle of paper... the effective demand for terrorism will complete the underlying problem ("International Affairs"). While the United States cannot currently “win the hearts and minds of the Middle East in the short term,” we can take immediate actions that will help end terrorism and stabilize the Middle East. Works Cited Davis, Paul B. "The Terrorist Mentality." Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science 3.3 (2001): 22-23. The Dana Press. Network. May 23, 2011. .Hoffman, Bruce. "Inside Terrorism." Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science 3.3 (1998): 2-3. New York: Columbia University Press. Network. May 23, 2011. .International Affairs." Personal interview. March.-May. 2011. Telhami, Shibley. "Understanding the Challenge." The Middle East Journal 25 (2002): 9-18. The Middle East Journal. Web . 22 May 2011.