The attacks by American forces on Libyan facilities were in response to evidence that Qadhafi has planned many attacks against American installations, diplomats, and tourists abroad. Since 1984, incidents of international terrorism have risen by about 60 percent from the yearly average of about 500 incidents between 1978 and 1983. Terrorism has particularly increased in the Middle East. Federal agencies within the United States are cooperating in the efforts against terrorism, and the Department of State operates the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program for civilian law enforcement agencies of friendly foreign governments. The State Department is the lead agency for handling all incidents that occur outside the United States. The problem of international terrorism is likely to grow and continue for at least another decade. Descriptions of 27 terrorist incidents that took place in 1985 and figures.