That is because 'terrorism' is but a tactic -- a means to an end, which in al-Qaida's case is global domination by an Islamic caliphate.

VOA: standard.2009.08.06

Godane,who came to power after the death of al-Shabab founder Aden Hashi Ayro in a U.S.missile strike in May 2008, is firmly committed to the idea of using al-Qaida-trained foreign fighters to help al-Shabab violently overthrow Somalia's U.N.-backed transitional government and establish an Islamic caliphate in Somalia.

VOA: standard.2009.12.23

It wants an Islamic caliphate, first in the Indian subcontinent and then the world.

BBC: Mumbai: A Pakistan militant link?

Almost 10 years ago, some 70 Satarov followers cloistered themselves inside and declared themselves an Islamic caliphate, it said.

CNN: Russian authorities find sect members living underground

His followers dream of reviving an Islamic caliphate, and invoke Islamic teaching to justify atrocities against non-Muslims and Muslims alike.

ECONOMIST: A new vocabulary is needed to confront terrorism