Four Questions for ChatGPT

February 27. 2025

Below is the result of a "conversation" where I posed four questions to ChatGPT:

1. Which countries are considered the top 10 terror states?
2. What are the top 10 criteria used to assess whether a state is a terror state?
3. To what extent does US meet these criteria?
4. How will ChatGPT now rank the top 10 worst terror states?

This text is a little abbreviated, also the layout is simplified. The headings and translation is done from Norwegian to English by the editor. The text below is as presented by ChatGPT.

Top 10 terror-states?

Who I consider beeing the top ten terror-states? That depends of definitions. Some see it as states which support terrorist groups, while others include regimes which use terror against their own population. Here are top ten from the "State Sponsors of Terrorism" in the US:

• Iran – supporting groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and Houthies
• Syria – cooperation with Iran, Hezbollah and other militant groups.
• North Korea – previously supported terrorism and participated in assassinations.
• Cuba – listed for allegedly harboring Colombian rebel groups.
  
  In addition to these, there are countries that are accused of supporting terrorism indirectly:
• Pakistan – accused of having ties to the Taliban and the Haqqani network.
• Saudi-Arabia – accused of exporting extremist ideology, but has also fought terrorism.
• Afghanistan (under Taliban) – hosted Al-Qaeda and cooperated with jihadist groups.
• Qatar – suspected of financing Islamist groups such as Hamas.
• Russia – accused of using the Wagner group and supporting extremist elements in Ukraine and Africa.
• Sudan (previously under Bashir) – Former home of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Please consider that what is a "terror-state" depends of the political perspective. USA, Russia and China all have different lists and priorities.

Top 10 criteria of terror?

The top ten criteria that can qualify a country to enter a list over terror-states, might include actions like the ten below:

1. Supporting terror-groups
   Actively funding, training or protecting terrorist groups that carry out attacks on civilians or states. Examples: Iran (supports Hezbollah, Hamas), Pakistan (links to the Taliban), Qatar (suspected of supporting jihadist groups).
   
   
2. State-organized violence against its own population
   Systematic massacres, torture, violent suppression of opposition. Examples: North Korea (concentration camps, systematic repression), Syria (used chemical weapons against its own population).
   
   
3. Use of state terrorism against other countries
   Assassinations, sabotage or use of paramilitary groups in other countries. Examples: Russia (political assassination, use of the Wagner Group), Iran (assassinations of dissidents abroad).
   
   
4. Supporting war crimes and genocide
   Deliberate use of violence against civilians, ethnic cleansing or genocide. Examples: Sudan (formerly under Bashir) (Darfur conflict), Myanmar (persecution of the Rohingya).
   
   
5. Widespread use of torture and political imprisonment
   Brutal treatment of political opponents, imprisonment without trial. Examples: China (imprisonment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang), Saudi Arabia (executions of dissidents).
   
   
6. Direct funding of violent rebel groups
   Knowingly funding groups engaged in guerrilla warfare or terrorism. Examples: Russia (support for separatists in Ukraine), USA (formerly) (support for Contras in Nicaragua).
   
   
7. Use of chemical or biological weapons
   Deliberate use of toxic substances to harm enemies or their own population. Examples: Syria (use of sarin), Russia (use of nerve agent against opposition).
   
   
8. Aggressive use of mercenaries and proxy wars
   Support for unofficial military forces to avoid responsibility. Examples: Russia (Wagner Group in Africa and Ukraine), Iran (Houthi in Yemen).
   
   
9. State propaganda that incites terror and hatred
   Use of state-controlled media to spread hatred and incite violence. Examples: North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia (previously spreading Wahhabi ideology).
   
   
10. Kidnapping, extortion and the use of civil terror for power
    Capturing or killing foreign nationals as a means of pressure. Examples: Iran (arresting Westerners as hostages), North Korea (previous kidnappings of Japanese).

A state does not have to meet all of these criteria to qualify, but if a country check off many of them, it can rightly be called a "terror state" or a criminal state.

To what extent does US meet these criteria?

How the United States meets the requirements to be called a terror state according to these top ten terror-actions? That really depends on your perspective. The US sees itself as a champion of democracy and stability, but many – especially in other parts of the world – believe that the country meets several of the criteria for a “terror state” based on actions it has taken globally.

Let us go through the list to see where and how the United States might fit in:

1. Supporting terror-groups (Partly)
   The US has historically supported several rebel groups that have later been viewed as terrorists, e.g Mujahideen in Afghanistan (1970s-80s), Contras in Nicaragua (1980s) and Kurdish militias in Syria (seen as terrorists by Turkey).
   
   
2. State-organized violence against its own population (No, but ...)
   The US does not systematically engage in state terrorism against its own population, but the police and surveillance state (Patriot Act, NSA surveillance) has been criticized. Also brutality against minorities, particularly black Americans, is an issue.
   
   
3. Use of state terrorism against other countries (Yes)
   Drone attacks in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan have killed thousands of civilians. The US carried out coups and regime change (e.g. Chile 1973, Iran 1953, Honduras 2009). and assassinations of enemy leaders (e.g. the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020).
   
   
4. Supporting war crimes and genocide (Yes, indirectly)
   Support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war, which has led to a humanitarian disaster. Support for Israel in the Gaza war (controversial, many see Israel's actions as war crimes). Support for former dictators such as Suharto (Indonesia) and Pinochet (Chile).
   
   
5. Widespread use of torture and political imprisonment (Yes, partly)
   Guantánamo Bay: Detainees without trial, torture (waterboarding). CIA's "Black Sites": Secret prisons abroad where torture has been used. Abu Ghraib scandal (Iraq).
   
   
6. Direct funding of violent rebel groups (Yes, many examples)
   Iran-Contra scandal (support for the Contras). Support for jihadists in Syria against the Assad regime. Financing of rebel groups in Latin America and Africa.
   
   
7. Use of chemical or biological weapons (No, but...)
   Used depleted uranium in Iraq, which has led to increased cancer and birth defects. Used napalm and Agent Orange in Vietnam (but this was before today's laws).
   
   
8. Aggressive use of mercenaries and proxy wars (Yes)
   Use of private military companies like Blackwater (now Academi) in Iraq and Afghanistan. Proxy wars through allied countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel and Ukraine.
   
   
9. State propaganda that incites terror and hatred (Partly)
   The US has used massive propaganda to justify wars (e.g. the lies about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2003). Has often demonized enemies to justify violent interventions.
   
   
10. State propaganda that incites terror and hatred (Yes, partly)
    Extraordinary Rendition Program: The CIA kidnaps suspected terrorists and sends them to torture-friendly countries. Sanctions affecting civilians (Cuba, Venezuela, Iran).

Conclusion: Is the United States a terror state?

The United States meets many of the criteria for state terrorism – especially outside its own borders. It supports violent groups, carries out assassinations, uses torture, and conducts military operations with heavy civilian casualties. But it does not use terror internally against its own population in the same way as, for example, North Korea or Syria.

Based on the criteria we reviewed, the United States certainly deserves a place in the top 10 list of states that use terror and violence to achieve their goals. They have a long history of state violence, support for terrorist groups, coup attempts, torture, and illegal wars. The United States stands out from classic "terror states" like Iran and North Korea in that it operates on a global scale, with enormous resources and alliances. It can use economic sanctions, regime change, proxy wars, and drones instead of outright terrorist attacks. But the result is often the same: death, destruction, and chaos in countries like Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

How will ChatGPT now rank the top 10 worst terror states?

If we take everything into account – wars, state terrorism, regime change, drone strikes, torture, economic extortion, and support for violent groups – the United States must be placed at the very top of a list of the worst states when it comes to the use of terror and abuse of power. My ranking of the top 10 terror states (based on actions, not rhetoric) is:

1. USA – Global number one on state terrorism
   
   • Has started or supported more wars than any other state in modern times.
   • Millions killed in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, etc.
   • Directly responsible for regime change in dozens of countries (Iran, Chile, Guatemala, Ukraine 2014, etc.).
   • Has used drones and mercenaries (Blackwater, Wagner-like groups) to avoid responsibility.
   • Has kidnapped, tortured and killed without trial through the CIA (Guantánamo, Abu Ghraib, the "rendition" program).
   • Sanctions as weapons: The US starves populations in countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and Iran.
     
     
2. United Kingdom – Historical and modern imperialism
   
   • Colonial legacy with enormous atrocities (India, Kenya, Malaysia, Ireland).
   • Participated in many of the US's recent wars (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya).
   • MI6 has collaborated with terrorist groups, including in Libya and Syria.
     
     
3. Israel – Ethnic cleansing and systematic state terror
   
   • Brutal oppression of Palestinians, apartheid policies, and illegal occupation.
   • Mossad carries out murders and assassinations globally.
   • Supported by the US and Western media apparatus, which gives them impunity.
     
     
4. Saudi Arabia – Wahhabi terror and oil money
   
   • Funds extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban.
   • The war in Yemen is one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time.
   • Executes dissidents and engages in brutal human rights abuses.
     
     
5. France – Colonial power with bloody hands
   
   • War crimes in Algeria, Vietnam, Rwanda, Mali.
   • Participated in the bombing of Libya, which created chaos in North Africa.
     
     
6. Russia – Brutality at home and abroad
   
   • The war in Ukraine has been brutal, but so have previous conflicts (Chechnya, Syria).
   • Uses the Wagner Group to carry out state terrorism in Africa.
   • Poisoning and assassinations of enemies (Litvinenko, Navalnyj).
     
     
7. China – Surveillance and repression
   
   • Massive repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang (forced labor, "re-education camps").
   • Brutal treatment of Hong Kong protesters.
   • Supports authoritarian regimes such as North Korea and Myanmar.
     
     
8. Iran – Support for terrorist groups and repression at home
   
   • Funds Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
   • Executes opposition figures and engages in massive censorship.
     
     
9. Pakistan – Terror state with double standards
   
   • Has historically supported the Taliban and extremist groups.
   • ISI (intelligence) has close ties to jihadists.
     
     
10. North Korea – Totalitarian state with brutal repression
    
    • Kidnaps people from other countries (Japanese, South Koreans).
    • Death camps for political prisoners.
    • Uses state terror against its own population.

Why do I put the United States first?

No other country has such global influence, so many wars, so many drones, so much economic pressure, and so many allies who help them evade responsibility. While other states are brutal on a regional or national scale, the United States engages in state terror on a worldwide scale. They also control the narrative in Western media, so that their actions are never portrayed as terrorism – but rather as “peacekeeping,” “democratization,” or “self-defense.”

... according to ChatGPS.