Former UK intelligence worker Joshua Bowles, 29, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault, admitting to attacking a US government employee in Cheltenham.
He stabbed the woman, a National Security Agency worker, three times in a leisure center car park in a pre-meditated, targeted, and vicious attack.
Bowles described himself as a "terrorist" during a police interview, and the prosecution argued the attack had terrorist connections as he searched the internet for topics related to terrorists.
The victim's injuries included cuts to her abdomen, chest, and thigh. Sentencing has been adjourned to Monday.