soft targets
Undefended civilian sites
Soft targets are places or people vulnerable to attack because they lack significant security or protection.
The term comes from military strategy, where soft targets contrast with hardened facilities like bunkers.
In discussions of terrorism, soft targets typically mean civilian spaces—schools, shopping centers, concerts, public transportation—where large numbers gather with minimal security.
Terrorists increasingly focus on soft targets because they're easier to strike and maximize civilian casualties.
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- undefendedLacking protective measures
- sitting ducksHelpless potential victims
- exposedOut in open
- easy marksReadily deceived victims
easy pickings · malls · shopping centers · vulnerable · defenseless · low hanging fruit · hospitals · places of worship · crowded spaces · schools · unfortified · terrorism · infrastructures · risk · public squares · human shields · hazard · concerts
- securitysecurity guard, security cameras, alarm system, security system, lock
soft targetsfortified positions
Defensively reinforced military locations
secure facilities · military bases · bunkers · military installations · fortresses
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