Material Support and Association

This thread traces how the statutory definition extends from direct violence to assistance, preparation, fundraising, and recruitment.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Knowing Assistance

Knowing Assistance A wider definition The law treats a person as engaging in terrorist activity when they commit an act or knowingly assist another person, organization, or government. Support as conduct The definition shifts attention from who performs an attack to who helps make it possible.

Preparation and Planning

Preparation and Planning Work before an attack Preparing or planning a terrorist act appears among the activities that can constitute engagement in terrorism. Liability before violence This provision makes preparatory conduct legally significant even before an attack is carried out.

Target Information

Target Information Collecting intelligence Gathering information about potential targets is identified as a form of assistance. The attack's enabling stages The provision recognizes that information gathering can form part of a chain leading to violence.

Resources and Safe Houses

Resources and Safe Houses Practical assistance The definition includes safe houses, transportation, communications, money, false documents, weapons, explosives, and training supplied with the required knowledge or reason to believe. A broad support network Ordinary forms of logistical aid become legally significant when connected to a planned or completed terrorist act.

Funding and Recruitment

Funding and Recruitment Financing activity Raising funds or other valuable items for a terrorist act or organization is included. Encouraging participation The statute also includes inducing a person to join a terrorist organization or government, or to engage in terrorist activity.

After the statute lists direct acts

At the first enumerated support activity

As the support list continues

During the detailed material-support clause

At the end of the material-support provisions