The discussion around the definition of terrorism in Chapter 1 emphasized that it is a form of political violence undertaken with the goal of changing a govern¬ment policy, or even to change the government itself. And until the late twen¬tieth century terrorism was generally viewed as a problem of domestic politics with few cross-border aspects. This view shifted with the recognition of growing transnational terrorism with cross-border aspects, including the money used to fund the terrorist group. In addition to the Convention on terrorist finan¬cing, the UN Security Council has published numerous Resolutions imposing financial sanctions and targeting the money behind specific terrorist groups. But a pivotal Security Council Resolution regarding terrorism and “the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence” was issued on 12 September 2001. The first paragraph of Resolution 1368 reads that the Security Council, “Unequivocally condemns in the strongest terms the horrifying terrorist attacks which took place on 11 September 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania and regards such acts, like any act of international terrorism, as a threat to international peace and security”. It continues by expressing sympathy and condolences, calling on all states to seek out not only the perpetrators of these attacks but also to increase efforts to prevent future attacks. Further, it asserts the readiness of the Security Council to combat terrorism in all its forms under the UN Charter. Later that day the Secretary-General of the UN was asked by a reporter what his personal feelings were at the time. The response of Kofi Annan was:

Before looking at the UN Security Council measures to combat terrorist financing it is helpful to understand the primary tool employed by the Security Council. The next section provides a short review of the evolution of targeted sanctions imposed by the UN.