<p><span class="p-body">NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs master's students recently briefed the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on their fall consulting practicum report. The report examined targeted political violence against people and property, when it might constitute terrorism, and the key issue areas and events that might drive mobilization.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">This report was in response to an alarming pattern of targeted violence, which has emerged in the US, demonstrated by assassination attempts, kidnapping plots, and other threats to public officials. We also have witnessed the targeting of private sector employees, like Luigi Mangione's alleged killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. These violent acts are intended to influence—through intimidation and their impact on civilians—specific policies, public officials or other prominent figures, and key political events.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The team grappled with a hard-to-define problem set and came up with some clear boundaries on the phenomenon they were studying as well as the key issue areas that potential actors might mobilize around and their likely targets.</span> </p>