Terrorist attacks in 1980 and 1981 represent a 60-percent increase over the previous 2 years. While bombing is the most common tactic, assassination is the fastest growing form of attack. Kidnappings have not increased, and seizing embassies appears to be a losing proposition. American diplomats and diplomatic premises accounted for 29 percent of attacks against the diplomatic community, and Turkish diplomats, the targets of Armenian groups, were the second most popular target. Nearly half the attacks have been anonymous. Armenian groups are the most prominent among attacks for which credit is claimed, followed by anti-Castro Cuban groups and the Palestinian terrorist organizations. Western Europe and North America accounted for 42 percent of the terrorist attacks, with Latin America and the Middle East being the second and third most violent regions, respectively. Many attacks were only symbolic violence and produced no fatalities. Embassies can improve security through bodyguards and armored cars, although this is burdensome and very expensive. While international agreements will have little impact on local governments' abilities to control the terrorist situation, apprehend emigre groups, or actively pursue international terrorists, they could institute collective sanctions against governments who directly support terrorist organizations. Footnotes are given.