Waging War and terrorism. Is there any real difference?

[Johnny]

Is there any real difference between, say, a first world nation carrying out conventional/non conventional warfare, and things like 9/11 being carried out by smaller groups?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Terrorism is the use of armed force to further an ideological/national interest or to strike fear into a group of people....which just seems like all war to me.

So, is war simply terrorism on a grand scale?

[faninor]

I think terrorism is executed by self appointed people acting on their own will, and against civilians. Perhaps large "terrorist organizations" are capable of waging war. 9/11 (World Trade Center) was an act of terrorism because the intended targets were neither militants nor government. 9/11 (Pentagon) was less an act of terrorism since it was a government target. However, it's only real strategic value was to create fear. The same can probably be said of the use of atomic bombs in 2nd world war.

So... a war is not terrorism. But it's made up of many events. Some of which could be terrorism, but hopefully not.