Three terrorist attacks occurred on Friday in France, Tunisia and Kuwait, leaving at least 40 dead. One person was even decapitated, with his head hanging from a factory gate in France. At least two of the attacks are related to the Islamic State (IS), reports said. 

The IS is not that powerful that it can reach every corner of the world with its terror attacks. But it has become an inspiration for global terrorism. Its blatancy of terror has encouraged more extremists who hate society to follow suit.

Terrorism has never died despite a continued crackdown. It is generally infamous, but its notoriety is only the surface.

The terrorists attacked various countries and regions. But countries have different impressions of these attacks depending on their proximity. When an attack occurs, some nations feel very shocked and affected. Others do not care as much. Some even believe the attacked country deserves it because of certain wrongdoings.

Terrorist attacks often have their deep social reasons. It is not prudent to simply conclude that all terrorists are lunatics. But many societies are not capable of rooting out these causes. They can only deal with the consequences after the terrorist attacks.

Of course, it is morally right to fight terrorism, because it often involves killing people, and often innocent civilians. Since the 9/11 attack in the US, the major countries have reached a consensus in fighting terrorism. But the consensus is not strong enough.

The biggest problem for the Western world is that they have set double standards on this matter.

The double standards have confused people's understanding of terrorism and diluted its disdainful image, and have encouraged some countries to differentiate terrorism by specifying the various causes behind the terror acts.

Extremist organizations like the IS also claim that launching terrorist attacks is divine.

The West sees the IS as the ultimate enemy, but it is more because what the IS has done is unacceptable, not the thinking and reasoning of the IS.

Some extremists in the West have joined the IS. It shows that the IS is not too "unusual" in terms of its political thinking.

The major world powers must form a resolute alliance in fighting terrorism. The definition of terrorism should not be based on its causes, but the consequences and methods used.

Only by doing this can the world squeeze the space in which the terrorists can win mercy or even support from some groups.

And only by doing this can the world unanimously condemn a terrorist attack.