RAND Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents

The RAND Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents (RDWTI) is a compilation of data from 1968 through 2009.

For 40 years, the RAND Corporation has been at the forefront of terrorism and counter-terrorism studies. In support of this work, RAND has developed and maintained a database of terrorism incidents stretching back to 1968, which provides comprehensive information on international and domestic terrorism. Over the years, many public and private sponsors have contributed to the maintenance of the RDWTI and its predecessors, the RAND Terrorism Chronology and the RAND-MIPT Terrorism Incident Database.

With over 40,000 incidents of terrorism coded and detailed, the quality and completeness of the RDWTI is remarkable. RAND staff conducted extensive research on candidate terrorist attacks, drawing on staff with regional expertise, relevant language skills, and in-country field work experience. The RDWTI is a fully searchable and interactive database, with the intention of providing quality and comprehensive data to users.

The database is free and publically accessible for research and analysis. However, all use of the data must be attributed to the RAND Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents.

Featured RDWTI Research

Political Reform in the Arab World is a Mixed Bag in Confronting Terrorism

Democratic political reforms can marginalize extremists and undermine support for political violence, but cosmetic reforms and backtracking on democratization can exacerbate the risk of terrorism.

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A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

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How Terrorist Groups End: Lessons for Countering al Qa'ida

All terrorist groups end. But how do they end? Most groups since 1968 have ended because they joined the political process or are defeated by police and intelligence services. This has significant implications for countering al Qa'ida.

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See other RAND research that includes analyses of data in the RDWTI