The paper explores the context of possible future developments in terrorism. It starts with an outline of the world in 2040 according to existing megatrends, including economic, technological, societal and environmental trends and the global power shift. On this background, possible lines of societal controversies and of political conflicts are drawn, and potential situations of crisis in various parts of the world are depicted. These developments, conflicts and crises may potentially give rise to new (or revived) terrorist movements, fostered e.g. by the next wave of social media and digital technologies. A selection of terrorism-related wild cards with respect to new forms of recruitment, new means of attack, and new targets completes picture. The paper closes with a short glimpse at science fiction.