Violent non-state actors (VNSA) are non-state actors, i.e. "individuals or organizations that have economic, political or social power and are able to influence at a national and sometimes international level but do not belong to or ally themselves to any particular country or state," who employ violence in pursuit of their objectives. The term has been used in several papers published by the U.S. military. There are many motives behind why violent non-state actors develop.