State Dept states that it uses definition of terrorism in 22 USC 2656f(2) codes.findlaw.com/us/title-22-fo… “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against NONCOMBATANT targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents". 
2/ in 2018, following interpretation added state.gov/reports/countr…. Noncombatant to include military "not deployed in a war zone or a war-like setting".
3/ under this (sensible) definition of "terrorism", attacks on military "deployed in a war zone or war-like setting" are NOT terrorism, but guerrilla warfare.
4/ the corollary is that roadside bombing by insurgents against military are guerrilla warfare, but not terrorism.
Guerrilla warfare is what ought to have been expected in wake of Iraq invasion and is what happened.
Guerrilla warfare is what ought to have been expected in wake of Iraq invasion and is what happened.
