The generation of Islamist terrorism is more deeply rooted in the social strains created by modernization, the competition between Islam and other religions, and the growth of secular government. Leftist terrorism was uniquely stimulated by Cold War rivalry, but declined shortly thereafter. However, both Islamist and Leftist terrorism are encouraged by the social strains of transitional development and the political opportunities created by increasing political rights. In summation, it is concluded that terrorism is a single species, but with local variation. A deeper understanding of transnational terrorism can be found in the basic contexts of social life. This study attempts to evaluate the argument that Islamist terrorist attacks represent a distinctive fourth wave of transnational terrorism that has displaced Leftist terrorism. The study draws on ITERATE data from 1968 to 2003 with Leftist attacks declining since the end of the Cold War and Islamist attacks increasing in 2002-2003. References