War Terminology

Ahmed al-Jabat. Air base in Kuwait likely to be used in war on terrorism.

Aidid. Muhammad Farah Aidid was the Somali warlord whom U.S. troops sought and failed to capture in an invasion that started in 1992. He declared himself president of Somalia in 1995 and died in a battle in 1996.

airborne. Soldiers trained to attack from the air, by parachute or helicopter.

asymetrical warfare. Battle between different forces, such as terrorists vs. conventional forces.

B-1B. Long-range bomber that may be used in missions against targets in Afghanistan.

B-2. "Stealth" bomber stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., used in initial attacks on military and terrorist targets in Afghanistan.

B-52. Nation's oldest bombers, making bombing runs against al Qaeda and Taliban bases from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

ballistic missiles. Missiles with no guidance system. They can be aimed at a target, but their course cannot be adjusted in flight. Where they land is determined by initial thrust and drag on the missile in flight. Can be launched from submarines.

biological warfare. Use of a bacterium (such as anthrax) or virus (such as smallpox) as a weapon. Many experts believe biological weapons present a more serious terrorist threat than chemical or nuclear weapons, because the organisms can multiply and spread through the population, so an attack would not require the volume of material needed in a chemical attack.

chemical warfare. Use of toxic chemicals as weapons. Chemical weapons would be more difficult to use in a massive terrorist attack than biological weapons because of the volume of chemicals needed. After the Sept. 11 attack, the FAA grounded all crop dusting operations, fearing a possible chemical attack. Chemical warfare does not include use of herbicides to defoliate enemy hiding areas and riot-control agents such as tear gas.

collateral damage. Civilian casualties and civilian property damage in an attack on a military target. Timothy McVeigh outraged the nation, particularly families of victims in the Oklahoma City blast, by referring the 19 children he killed in the day care center as collateral damage. After the Sept. 11 attack, producers halted the release of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie "Collateral Damage."

commando. Forces trained to fight in small units, attacking by surprise to achieve limited objectives.

cruise missile. Missile with a guidance system to deliver it to a specified target. The United States used cruise missiles in its initial attack on Taliban targets and in the 1998 attacks on targets in Sudan and Afghanistan after terrorists bombed embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Can be launched from submarines.

cyberwarfare. Damaging an enemy through use of computers.

Delta Force. Elite Army unit trained in rescue and other special operations.

Diego Garcia. Island home of U.S. naval base in Indian Ocean.

.F-14 Tomcat. Fighters stationed on U.S. aircraft carriers.

F/A-18 Hornets. Fighters stationed on U.S. aircraft carriers.

Green Berets. Army Special Forces unit trained in commando fighting. U.S. has about 5,000 Green Berets.

Homeland Defense Command. Military agency, not to be confused with Homeland Security Council.

Joint Special Operations Command. Runs the military's special forces.

Kalashnikov. Captured Soviet rifles used widely in Afghanistan.

land mines. Afghanistan has an estimated 6 million land mines, mostly left over from the war with the Soviet Union. An estimated 100 to 300 people a month die from land mine explosions.

Operation Desert Storm. The name of the military operation to drive Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991. During the buildup in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf prior to the bombing of Iraq and the invasion of Kuwait, it was Operation Desert Shield.

Operation Enduring Freedom. The second name for the U.S. military response to the Sept. 11 attack. It was adopted after Muslims objected to Operation Infinite Justice.

Operation Infinite Justice. The short-lived name of the U.S. military response to the Sept. 11. attack. The Defense Department quickly abandoned it upon learning that the phrase is offensive to Muslims, who believe only Allah can dispense infinite justice. The response instead became known as Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Just Cause. The name for the military operation to arrest President Manuel Noriega of Panama in 1989.

Rangers. Army airborne unit, trained to fight behind enemy lines. U.S. has about 2,000 Rangers.

SH/HH-60 Seahawks. Helicopters stationed on U.S. aircraft carriers.

Seals. Navy commando units. Acronym stands for Sea, Air and Land. Former Sen. Bob Kerrey led a Seal unit in Vietnam. U.S. has about 2,200 Seals.

special forces. Small units trained for special missions, such as unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism.

Stinger. Small heat-seeking missiles fired from a shoulder launcher, usually to bring down a helicopter or other low-flying airplane. The United States shipped Stinger missiles to Afghanistan through Pakistan during the war against the Soviet Union. U.S. forces don't know how many Stingers the Taliban forces might have.

surgical strike. Military operation with a limited objective, performed with precision and swiftness, usually from the air.

symmetrical warfare. Battle between like forces: tanks vs. tanks and aircraft vs. aircraft. War on terrorism may be largely asymmetrical.

USS Carl Vinson. Aircraft carrier heading battle group in the Persian Gulf.

USS Enterprise. Aircraft carrier heading battle group in the Arabian Sea.

USS Kitty Hawk. Aircraft carrier heading battle group en route to Indian Ocean from Japan.

USS Theodore Roosevelt. Aircraft carrier heading battle group sent from Norfolk, Va., to Middle East.

Geopolitical Terminology

Ab-I-Pandj River. River between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Refugees crowded onto islands in the river when Tajikistan would not allow them in.

Afghanistan. Central Asian nation that defeated Soviet Union in 1980s war. Taliban came to power in 1996.

Albania. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Algeria. Home to Islamic Salvation Front, affiliated with al Qaeda. Might help U.S. in war on terrorism by providing intelligence and other non-military help.

Arabs. People from the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and Libya, among others. Most Arabs in the Middle East are Muslims, but only 12 percent of the world's Muslims are Arabs. Most Arab Americans are Christians.

Argentina. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Ariana Airlines. Afghanistan's airline. President Clinton ordered the Ariana's assets frozen in 1998 for allegedly transporting men and equipment for al Qaeda.

Australia. May join U.S. in military action.

Azerbaijan. Islamic former Soviet republic bordering Iran. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Bahrain. Island nation in Persian Gulf. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Baltic States. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are former Soviet republics seeking membership in NATO. Russia opposes their admission to NATO, and may delay their admission as part of its price for helping in the war on terrorism.

Bangladesh. Formerly East Pakistan. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Belgium. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

benchmark. A surveying term for a reference point. Secretary of State Colin Powell is telling other nations that cooperation in the war in terrorism is the "new benchmark" that will determine the nations' relationship with the United States.

Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Ethnic cleansing" in Bosnia triggered U.S. military involvement in the 1990s. Bin Laden reportedly has sent about 70 operatives from Afghanistan to Bosnia.

Brazil. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Burma. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Camp David. The presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains, named by President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his grandson David. Jimmy Carter took Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Camp David in 1978 to negotiate peace between Egypt and Israel that has lasted ever since. Many Palestinians see the Camp David accords as a betrayal by Egypt. Camp David was thought at one point to be the target of Flight 93, which crashed Sept. 11 in Pennsylvania. Persistent rumors on Sept. 11 said it was the anniversary of the Camp David accords. The parties were negotiating that day, but the agreement was reached Sept. 17, 1978.

Canada. Some of the hijackers might have entered the United States through Canada. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Cayman Islands. Caribbean nation known for secretive banks that are useful for hiding and laundering money. Al Qaeda is suspected to have used Cayman banks.

cease-fire. A temporary agreement to stop fighting. A cease-fire has no terms beyond the suspension of fighting, whereas a peace treaty involves concessions by both sides and a surrender involves either conditions or one side's unconditional surrender. In a cease-fire, both sides hold the ground they held when the cease-fire started. A cease-fire might be called during peace negotiations or a holiday. The Israelis and Palestinian rebels called a cease-fire after the terrorist attack.

Chechnya. Republic seeking independence from Russia. It has a large Islamic population and some of its rebels have trained at bin Laden's camps. Russians probably will expect U.S. acquiescence in suppression of Chechen rebels in return for support in war on terrorism.

China. Last spring's confrontation with the United States over mid-air collision between Chinese fighter jet and U.S. surveillance plane has faded as an issue. China, fearing Islamic rebels in its western Xinjiang province, wants U.S. to defeat Taliban. Might help by providing intelligence and other non-military help.

Comoros. Obscure island group in Indian Ocean is one of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Congo. West African nation fighting civil war is one of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Croatia. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Cuba. Identified by State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Dari. Persian language spoken by most Afghans.

Denmark. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Djibouti. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Ecuador. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Egypt. Became outcast Arab state after reaching peace agreement with Israel in 1978. Egyptian Islamic Jihad assassinated President Anwar Sadat in retaliation in 1981 and is al Qaeda's strongest ally. Egypt might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists. President Hosni Mubarak wants to maintain U.S. favor without inflaming extremists in Egypt.

Eritrea. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Ethiopia. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

France. May join U.S. in military action. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

.Germany. May join U.S. in military action. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

gum arabic. Sweetener used in U.S. soft drinks. Bin Laden at one time had a heavy interest in Sudan's production of gum arabic and some believe he still does.

Hamburg, Germany. Mohamed Atta and other hijackers appear to have planned much of the Sept. 11 attack from Hamburg.

Hazara. Ethnic group making up about 19 percent of Afghanistan's population.

Hindu Kush. The tall, treacherous mountain range of northeast Afghanistan.

India. Faced U.S. sanctions after nuclear test in 1998. Sanctions lifted to win Indian support for action against al Qaeda. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Indonesia. Has world's largest Islamic population. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might help U.S. in war on terrorism by providing intelligence and other non-military help.

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Pakistani military and intelligence forces. ISI forces fought with Afghan rebels against the Soviet Union and fought with Taliban and forces of bin Laden to help Taliban gain control of most of Afghanistan.

intifada. Uprising. The rebellion by Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip is called the intifada. The current intifada has lasted about a year.

Iran. Held 52 Americans hostage for more than a year from 1979-81. Longtime enemy of the United States, though we never went to war directly. U.S. aided Iraq in the 1980s war against Iran. President Mohamad Khatami has indicated a possible willingness to cooperate with the U.S., but religious leader Ayatulla Ali Khamenei has been less willing. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Listed by State Department as state sponsor of terrorism.

Iraq. Suspected as a state sponsor of al Qaeda activities and other terrorism. Defeated by U.S. and allies in 1991 war. Some advisers to President Bush are pushing for action to oust Saddam Hussein as ruler of Iraq. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Israel. Bin Laden and al Qaeda want to drive the Israelis out of Palestine. Israel has been odds with neighboring Arab states and Palestinian groups since its creation in 1948.One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Italy. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Jalalabad. Eastern Afghanistan city, near the border with Pakistan. Bin Laden has training camps around Jalalabad.

Japan. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Jordan. Along with Egypt, Jordan is the only Arab state that has reached a peace agreement with Israel. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Kabul. Capital of Afghanistan.

Kandahar. Central Afghanistan city, headquarters of Taliban and former headquarters of bin Laden's operations in Afghanistan.

Karmal. Babrak Karmal installed by Soviet Union as leader of Afghanistan in 1979.

Kashmir. A mountainous region of northern India and constant source of disputes between Pakistan and India. Many believe Pakistan's price for cooperating in U.S. action against the Taliban may be support for a favorable settlement of the longtime border dispute.

Kazakhstan. The largest of the Islamic former Soviet republics of Central Asia. It has vast oil reserves and does not border Afghanistan. Population is about half Christian and half Muslim. President Nursultan Nazarbayev has offered U.S. forces use of air space and military bases.

Kenya. U.S. Embassy in Nairobi bombed in al Qaeda attack in 1998. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Khan. Muhammad Daoud Khan ousted King Zahir Shah in 1973 to become ruler of Afghanistan. Was killed in Marxist coup in 1978.

Khost. Afghan town near border with Pakistan. Bin Laden built U.S.-financed underground compound near Khost during war against Soviet Union.

Khyber Pass. Narrow mountain pass with steep cliffs on both sides. Primary route from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Leads to Kabul.

Kosovo. Serbs say bin Laden has training camps in Kosovo.

Kurdistan. A region in southwestern Asia including parts of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Armenia. Saddam Hussein's regime forced 600,000 Kurds to flee Iraq as refugees.

Kuwait. Persian Gulf nation invaded by Iraqi forces in 1990 and freed the following year by U.S.-led coalition. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Kyrgyzstan. The smallest of the Islamic former Soviet republics of Central Asia. It does not border Afghanistan. Offered U.S. use of air space for military operations. May cooperate further.

Lebanon. Bekaa Valley has long been a hiding place and training ground for terrorist groups. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might help U.S. in war on terrorism by providing intelligence and other non-military help.

Libya. Formerly regarded as one of the most dangerous terrorist states. In response to a 1986 terrorist bombing that killed a U.S. soldier in West Germany, President Ronald Reagan ordered an air strike on a compound where President Moammar Gadhafi was believed to live. Gadhafi survived, but Libya has faded as a terrorist threat. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Still listed by State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Luxembourg. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Malaysia. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Massoud. Ahmed Shah Massoud, the "Lion of Panjshir," a hero of the Afghan resistance against the Soviets and former defense minister and vice president of Afghanistan under President Burhanuddin Rabboni. Massoud, leader of the Northern Alliance, was killed Sept. 9 by two suicide assassins posing as journalists. One had a bomb inside his video camera.

Mauritania. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Morocco. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (also translated as Enforcement of Virtue and Suppression of Vice). The agency through which the Taliban have imposed strict laws and harsh punishments on the people of Afghanistan, especially women.

mujahedeen or mujahedin or mujahidin. The Afghan "freedom fighters" or "holy warriors" who resisted the Soviet invasion throughout the 1980s. They were supported by the CIA through Pakistan. Bin Laden and other Arabs who saw the war as a battle in defense of Islam joined the mujahedeen in their fight.

Musharraf. Pervez Musharraf is president of Pakistan. He came to power in a 1998 coup. He was one of the four world leaders George W. Bush could not identify in an impromptu 1999 foreign-affairs quiz posed by a reporter.

Najibullah. Dr. Sayid Mohammed Najibullah was elected president of Afghanistan in 1987 but was regarded by many as a Soviet puppet. He resigned in 1992 and the Taliban executed him in 1996.

Netherlands. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

New Zealand. May join U.S. in military action.

Nigeria. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Post-World War II alliance consisting of United States, Canada and 17 European nations. Article 5 of the NATO Charter says, "An armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all." NATO unanimously invoked this principle in voting to support U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attack.

North Korea. Listed by State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Northern Alliance. Rebel groups fighting Taliban for control of Afghanistan.

Omar. Mullah Mohammed Omar is the reclusive supreme leader of the Taliban. He lost an eye in the war with the Soviets. He avoids all photographs. He grew up in Singhesar and is believed to be about 40 years old. He did not graduate from the madrasah where he learned Wahhabi Islam, but received an honorary degree. He has proclaimed himself Amir-ul-Momineen (Commander of the Faithful).

opium. Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium. Bin Laden's organization reportedly makes some of its money providing security for opium shipments.

Ottoman Empire. Turkish empire that extended into the Balkans, across the Middle East and North Africa at its peak. Lasted from the 13th Century until 1923.

Pakistan. Neighbor to southeast of Afghanistan. Pakistani agents have been active in Afghanistan since war against Soviet Union. Pakistan has more than 2 million Afghan refugees, with more on the way. UNO educational operations for Afghanistan have been based in Peshawar, Pakistan. U.S. special forces already doing reconnaissance in Afghanistan are based in Pakistan. In return for its support in war on terrorism, Pakistan may want at least partial forgiveness of its $37 billion foreign debt.

Palestine. Region on the eastern Mediterranean coast that is claimed by Israel and by Palestinian Arabs. Continuing disagreements and violence between Israelis and Palestinians have caused problems throughout the Mideast for decades.

Paraguay. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Pashto. Language of the Pashtun.

Pashtun. The largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, with about 38 percent of the population.

Pashtunwali. Strict Pashtun moral code which stresses honor, courage, hospitality and revenge.

Philippines. Site of 1994 plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II and bomb U.S. and Israeli embassies and 1995 plots to assassinate President Bill Clinton and blow up 11 U.S. airliners over Pacific Ocean.

Qatar. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Home of Al-Jazeera television station that bin Laden uses to relay messages to the world.

quid pro quo. The diplomatic principle of getting something in return for a favor to another country. For instance, Sudan's Islamic government supports the U.S. war on terrorism, hoping to ease U.S. opposition to its war against Christians in Southern Sudan and Russia hopes to ease U.S. opposition to its war against Chechens.

Rabbani. Burhanuddin Rabbani, leader of guerrillas who opposed Soviet Union, was president of Afghanistan from 1992-96.

Riyadh. Saudi Arabian city where bin Laden was born. Location of U.S. Air Force base, Prince Sultan Air Base.

Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised many with his quick support for U.S. war on terrorism, particularly pressuring former Soviet republics in Central Asia to give U.S. access to military bases. Might help by providing intelligence and other non-military help. Russia will want substantial favors in return.

sanctions. This is one of those words with meanings that are nearly opposites. If the United Nations approves of something, we say it is U.N.-sanctioned. However, if the United Nations disapproves and decides to impose punitive measures such as restricting trade, we call those measures sanctions.

Saudi Arabia. Richest Arab nation. Saudi Arabia has a long relationship with the United States and was the staging ground for the allied effort to push Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991. Bin Laden considered it sacrilege to allow U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia. He was expelled from his homeland in 1991. Many wealthy Saudis still contribute to his organization, though. Before Sept. 11, Saudi Arabia was one of three nations to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Expected to allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

sea change. Cliché often used to describe the vast change in international relations or U.S. outlook caused by the terrorist attack. From Shakespeare's "The Tempest": "Nothing of him that doth fade but doth suffer a sea-change into something rich and strange." Paul Brians, English professor at Washington State University, writes of the cliché: "This rich language has so captivated the ears of generations of writers that they feel compelled to describe as "sea changes" not only alterations that are "rich and strange," but, less appropriately, those that are simply large or sudden. … In its original context, it meant nothing more complex than "a change caused by the sea." Since the phrase is almost always improperly used and is greatly over-used, it has suffered a swamp change into something dull and tiresome. Avoid the phrase; otherwise you will irritate those who know it and puzzle those who do not." Fowler's Modern English Usage calls it "One of the most importunate and intrusive of irrelevant allusions and hackneyed phrases."

Senegal. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Al Shamal Islamic Bank. Sudanese bank started by bin Laden, according to US State Department.

shura. The ruling 10-man council of the Taliban.

Somalia. East Africa country invaded in 1992 by U.S. forces, seeking to restore order in a country run by warlords. U.S. troops withdrew in 1994 with the warlords still in charge. Al Qaeda claims to have shot down U.S. helicopters in Oct. 3, 1993 attack in Mogadishu that killed 18 Rangers on Oct. 3, 1993.

South Africa. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

South Korea. Might allow U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists.

Spain. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

-stan. "Land of" or "home of." For example, Afghanistan is the Land of the Afghans.

strange bedfollows. Another cliché that originated with "The Tempest": "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." It frequently is applied to politics and already is being used to describe the U.S. willingness to work with such nations as China, Iran and Sudan in the battle against the Taliban and bin Laden.

strategic Islamic depth. Pakistan's policy of cultivating relations with Afghanistan and other Islamic nations to the west, seeking support and security for future confrontations with India.

Sudan. After being expelled by Saudi Arabia in 1991, bin Laden lived five years in Sudan, aiding the Islamic government there in development of the highways that serve its oil fields. Bin Laden invested heavily in Sudan, including banking and agriculture. Sudan, under pressure from the United States, expelled bin Laden in 1996 and has voiced support for the war on terrorism, though he is still believed to have investments in Sudan. The Arab government has been at civil war with the African and mostly Christian tribes of Southern Sudan since 1983. About 3,000 to 5,000 refugees from Southern Sudan have moved to Omaha. Listed by State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Sweden. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Switzerland. Al Qaeda appears to have used Swiss banks for moving some of the money used to finance terrorist activities. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Syria. Long regarded as a state sponsor of Palestinian terrorist groups, but President Bashar Assad wants better relations with the United States. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Might help U.S. in war on terrorism by providing intelligence and other non-military help.

Tajik. Second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, with about 25 percent.

Tajikistan. An Islamic former Soviet republic, bordering Afghanistan on the northeast. Government fought civil war against fundamentalist Islamic rebels from 1992-97. Terrorist raids by groups with Taliban ties continue. Government has closed its border to Afghan refugees. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active. Initially balked at allowing U.S. to use bases in military action against terrorists, but Russia indicated that Tajikistan may offer use of Dushanbe airport.

Tanzania. U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam bombed by al Qaeda in 1998. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Third World. During the Cold War, this became the term for developing countries, because most of them weren't aligned with either the United States or the Soviet Union. It became inaccurate long before the end of the Cold War, because China clearly wasn't aligned with the Soviet Union and many Third World nations did align with one of the first two worlds. Use of the term has faded, but not entirely, since the end of the Cold War. In some respects, Russia today is a Third World country.

Tunisia. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Turkestan. Former collective name for the five Soviet republics of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Turkey. The only mostly Muslim nation in NATO. Former seat of the Ottoman Empire. Will let U.S. forces launch attacks on Afghanistan from Incirlik Air Force Base. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Turkmenistan. An Islamic former Soviet republic, bordering Afghanistan on the northwest. Has offered U.S. forces use of air space and may cooperate further.

Uganda. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Uighurs. Muslims living in Xinjiang province of western China, which has a small border with Afghanistan. Chinese fear Islamic extremism among the Uighurs.

United Arab Emirates. A small nation on the Persian Gulf, it was one of three nations to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan but withdrew recognition after the Sept. 11 attack. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

United Front of Afghanistan. Another name for the Northern Alliance.

United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan. Formal name of the Northern Alliance, the rebel groups opposing the Taliban.

United Kingdom. Britain might be the ally most likely to provide forces for joint military efforts against terrorism. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. U.N. agency that runs refugee camps and works to resettle refugees. Even before the Sept. 11 attack, more than 3.7 million refugees had fled Afghanistan. Most live in refugee camps in Pakistan.

United Nations Security Council. U.N. agency charged with keeping peace. Even before the Sept. 11 attack, the Security Council had passed two resolutions calling on the Taliban to turn over bin Laden for trial on previous crimes.

Uruguay. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Uzbekistan. An Islamic former Soviet republic, bordering Afghanistan on the north, between Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Agreed to let U.S. forces use a base. Government has battled with Islamic rebels tied to bin Laden. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

World Food Program. U.N. agency trucking food into Afghanistan from Pakistan.

World Trade Organization. International body founded in 1994 to regulate international trade. Russia wants to join the WTO and may win U.S. support with aggressive help in war on terrorism.

Xinjiang. Western province of China, bordering on Afghanistan. Chinese fear Islamic extremism among the Uighurs living in Xinjiang.

Yemen. Bin Laden's father was from Yemen. His organization attacked the USS Cole in Yemen. One of 60 nations believed to have al Qaeda cells active.

Zahir Shah. Exiled 86-year-old king of Afghanistan. Deposed in 1973. Currently living in Rome. Some Afghans want to return him to the throne.

Religious Terminology (primarily Islamic)

Allah. Arabic word for God. American Muslims are as likely to say God.

Aqsa Mosque. Mosque in Jerusalem. Bin Laden's 1998 fatwa vowed to free it from the Israelis.

Bamiyan. Central Afghanistan region where the Taliban destroyed ancient statues of Buddha, taller than the faces on Mt. Rushmore, carved in the Second Century.

chadri. Head-to-toe shrouds that the Taliban require women to wear in public.

cleric. A member of the clergy in any faith.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Washington-based group seeking to educate Americans about Islam. It stresses that most Muslims abhor violence and do not believe or endorse the strain of Islam espoused by terrorists.

Crusades. Wars by European Christians in the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries trying to recapture Jerusalem from Muslims. Though crusade has become a common noun and verb in English, meaning a vigorous campaign in pursuit of a cause, the word remains offensive to Muslims and President Bush apologized for using the word to refer to the war on terrorism.

Deobandi. The strict branch of Sunni Islam that includes the Taliban. It is named for an Indian town that is home to a radical madrasah.

fatwa. A religious decree. Bin Laden issued a fatwa in 1998, before the attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, declaring jihad against the United States. The fatwa said every Muslim must obey "God's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money."

fundamentalism. In any religion, fundamentalists have a strict theology and moral code and insist they are the only true believers. Term comes from an early 20th Century Christian movement that believed in the doctrines spelled out in a series of books titled "The Fundamentals."

.graven images. Mullah Omar refuses to allow any photographs, saying they are forbidden graven images.

Great Satan. Term Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran and Saddam Hussein of Iraq and other Islamist leaders have used to condemn the United States.

hajj. The pilgrimage to Mecca, one of five pillars of Islam.

Haqqania. The madrasah in Pakistan where many of the Taliban learned Wahhabi.

Haram Mosque. Holy mosque in Mecca. Bin Laden vowed in 1998 fatwa to free it from the "grip" of the Americans.

hijab. The head scarf worn by some Islamic women and girls.

imam. The prayer leader in a Muslim congregation.

infidel. Someone who does not believe in the speaker's religion. Christians described Muslims as infidels during the crusades, and Islamic fundamentalists use the term to denounce members of other faiths. When the Taliban destroyed the Buddha statues at Bamiyan, they denounced them as "gods of the infidel" and bin Laden has referred to Americans as infidels.

Islam. The faith of followers of the 7th-Century prophet Muhammad. Islam has more than 1 billion believers worldwide. The nation with the largest Islamic population is Indonesia. Like Christianity, Islam encompasses groups with wide-ranging interpretations and applications of Muhammad's teachings. Islam means "surrender."

Islamic. The adjective form of Islam. Muslim is also used sometimes as an adjective.

Islamist. People or groups who invoke Islam for political ends. Not all Islamist groups advocate terrorism.

Jerusalem. Considered a holy city by Jews, Muslims and Christians.

jihad. Jihad means struggle. Mainstream Muslims use jihad to refer to struggles of varying degrees, ranging from the personal struggle to avoid temptation and follow Allah's law to a war in defense of Islam. Wahhabi Muslims more often use it with a meaning of "holy war," an offensive war against perceived enemies of the faith.

Koran. The common English spelling of the holy book of Islam. Most Muslims spell it Qur'an.

madrasah or madrasa. Religious schools in Pakistan that teach strict Wahhabi version of Islam. Pakistan has 15,000 madrasahs similar to those where the Taliban studied. They do not teach other academic subjects, but do teach military strategy and tactics.

Mecca. The holiest city of Islam, in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is where Muhammad was born and received his revelations from Allah. If possible, every Muslim is required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca sometime during his or her life.

Medina. Muhammad's second home and one of the three holy cities of Islam.

Moslem. Term formerly used in the United States in reference to Islam and its followers. Muslims object to this spelling. The preferred terms are Islam for the faith, Islamic as an adjective and Muslim as a noun for the followers of Islam.

Muhammad. The 7th-Century Arabian prophet who founded Islam.

mujaddid. A "renewer of the faith" who comes along once in a century.

mullah. A scholar of Islam. Mullah Omar, leader of the Taliban claims the title, but has only an honorary degree from the madrasah he attended.

Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian group founded in 1928. The first of the modern Islamist groups.

Nation of Islam. Islamic group headed by Louis Farrakhan.

The Neglected Duty. Pamphlet written in 1979 by Egyptian Muhammad Abd al-Salem Faraj that called for holy war to defend Muslims and Islamic dignity.

Pillars of Islam. Five practices required of Muslims: the profession of faith, the five daily prayers, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan and a pilgrimage to Mecca.

purdah. The Taliban-required practice of secluding women and requiring them to wear the chadri when in public. Sometimes used to refer to the veil itself.

Qur'an. The holy book of Islam. This spelling is preferred by Muslims, as opposed to the English spelling, Koran.

Ramadan. Muslim holy month, marked by fasting during daylight hours. Fasting is one of the pillars of religious obligation under Islam, and is mandatory for most Muslims during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Saladin. 12th Century Kurd who commanded combined Islamic armies to defeat the Europeans and recapture Jerusalem. Bin Laden has described himself as a latter-day Saladin.

Sharia. Islamic law, strictly enforced by the Taliban. Offenses are published with harsh penalties including amputation and execution.

Shi'a. The smaller of two primary divisions of Islam. Shi'ites believe that Muhammad designated his son, Ali, as his spiritual successor, and only Ali's descendants can become the caliph, or the supreme leader of Islam. Iran's Muslims are mostly Shi'ite.

Sikh. Sikhs are not Muslims. The Sikh faith developed in northwest India in the late 15th Century and follows the teachings of Guru Nanak. Men wear turbans. A Sikh was murdered in Mesa, Ariz., following the Sept. 11 attack by a man who thought he was a Muslim.

Sunni. The largest division of Islam. Sunnis believe the caliph should be elected by a council of elders. Sunnis generally are more tolerant of difference within Islam than Shi'ites.

Taliban. Plural of Talib, Pashto word for students of Islam or seekers of knowledge. Clerics trained at madrasahs in Pakistan called themselves the Taliban when they started a rebellion against the Afghan government in 1996.

Taymiyya. Ibn Taymiyya's teachings from the 14th Century guide many of today's militant Islamists. He wrote that "jihad against the disbelievers is the most noble of actions."

Wahhabi. 18th Century Islamic movement that rejected all innovations in Islam and insisted on a strict, puritanical behavior code. Founded by Syrian Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, it attacked and purged shrines in Saudi Arabia in the 19th Century. The Taliban and other fundamentalist Muslims today are Wahhabis.

World Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders. Name used by the leaders of Islamic terrorist groups who joined bin Laden's 1998 fatwa calling on Muslims everywhere to kill Americans and drive Americans from Arabia and Jews from Palestine.

Homeland Security Terminology

Air Force One. Any airplane carrying the president. The Air Force actually has two specially equipped Boeing 747-200's that serve as Air Force One. They were manufactured in 1990. Authorities believe terrorists targeted Air Force One in some way for attack on Sept. 11.

air marshal. A federal marshal who rides commercial flights in cognito, armed to prevent hijackings. Israel uses air marshals on El-Al airline and hasn't had a hijacking in 31 years. The United States uses only a few air marshals, so most flights do not have one. President Bush has proposed using them extensively.

Barksdale. Louisiana Air Force Base where President Bush stopped en route to Offutt Air Force Base after Sept. 11 attack.

bag matching. A security technique developed in the 1980s after bombings in which terrorists checked bags containing bombs, but then did not board the planes themselves. Now on international flights, luggage is removed from the plane if the corresponding passenger does not board.

biometrics. The measurement of biological characteristics such as fingerprints or iris scans.

body scan. "Soft" X-ray scan that does not penetrate the body, but reveals its contours, allowing screeners to spot plastic or ceramic weapons a passenger is carrying.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Treasury Department agency responsible for enforcement of alcohol, tobacco and firearms laws. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Responsible for foreign intelligence gathering. CIA activities were restricted in the 1970s after scandals over involvement in assassinations and coups. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Cheyenne Mountain. Secure underground location near Colorado Springs, CO, from which the president and/or military leaders can direct U.S. military and security operations.

Coast Guard. Responsible for law enforcement along U.S. coastline and waterways. Part of the Transportation Department. The Coast Guard is one of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Commission on National Security/21st Century. Study panel that issued a report in March calling for Cabinet-level office to coordinate law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS). System analyzes 40 pieces of passenger data, such as destination and frequency of past trips, use of one-way tickets, paying for tickets with cash and how long before the flight a ticket was bought. System identifies possible suspicious passengers for hand inspection of luggage or other security measures. Critics say the system is using or could use racial profiling. Categories are classified, but the Justice Department says it does not use ethnic factors.

Cooper vane. A latch that prevents opening an airplane's door while flying. Developed after D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane in 1971 and parachuted out over southwest Washington with $200,000 in ransom money. He was never found.

CT scan. Gives screener a three-dimensional look at objects inside luggage, making it easier to spot weapons. Used on some international flights.

Customs Service. Treasury Department agency responsible for border security. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Cyber Security, Office of. National Security Council office headed by Richard Clarke.

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Coordinates military intelligence. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

face-recognition software. Passengers pass by closed-circuit television cameras, which record digital images and match faces against people on "watch" lists as possible terrorists.

FBI. Federal Bureau of Investigations, an agency of the Justice Department responsible for domestic law enforcement. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Responsible for aviation safety in the United States. Runs air traffic control system, but not airport security. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

hand geometry. Using machines that scan the size and shape of a hand would make passports harder to forge and would make stolen passports worthless.

Homeland Security Council. White House Council coordinating work of agencies overssen by Office of Homeland Security. Headed by Tom Ridge. Members include attorney general; defense, treasury, health and human services and agriculture secretaries; directors of FBI and FEMA.

Homeland Security, Office of. New agency headed by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, in charge of coordinating the 40 or so federal agencies with responsibilities for protecting the nation against terrorism and investigating acts of terrorism. In the speech, Bush did not say what Ridge's title would be. He simply said, "I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me, the Office of Homeland Security." Formally, he probably will be secretary or director, but may well become known as a "czar," the informal title given to the chiefs heading inter-agency efforts on energy and drugs.

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Justice Department agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

iris scanners. Devices that scan a passenger's eye could increase security at airports. Already in use at some prisons and banks.

Marshal Service. The oldest federal law enforcement agency, the Marshals Service is responsible for protecting and ensuring the effective operation of federal courts. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

material witness. Someone believed to have direct knowledge of a crime and believed to be in danger or believed to be likely to flee rather than appear in court. Authorities can hold material witnesses on a separate warrant that does not charge them with the crime.

metal detectors. Used in airports to screen passengers since Jan. 5, 1973. They were used in response to three hijackers who made a pilot circle the Oak Ridge nuclear facilities, threatening to crash the plane. Metal detectors would not prevent hijackers from bringing ceramic or plastic weapons onto a plane.

pattern recognition software. Used in connection with CT scanners. Software identifies