Sean Hogan deconstructs the word 'terrorist,' the most notorious label in global politics, and exposes how that powerfully loaded term is weaponized. Pulling from law, history, and media reportage, he reveals that the distinction between a 'terrorist group' and an 'allied government' is arbitrary in the hands of the powerful. The Afghan mujahideen become al-Qaeda, but only after they'd done the bidding of the CIA. Nelson Mandela is branded a terrorist just before receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. And when Palestinian children are killed on the off chance of taking out a Hamas operative, that's unfortunate 'collateral damage,' but Israel's right to defend itself is never in doubt.