Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations

This book is most certainly an excellent guide to anyone who has the slightest interest in Militant groups. Terrorism may be a pejorative term, and this text attempts to take the reader beyond that and into an in depth analysis of trends, tactics and much more. Though I may be biased since it is required reading for my POLS376 class (Political Violence), it is most definitely not for everyone as it is not an easy read. Though the Cindy Combs book "Terrorism in the 21st century" may be the most definitive source on this subject next to Hoffman, I still must give credit where it is due. However, I did have one major gripe with this text. The coverage of terrorist tactics and training was lacking to say the least, so I recommend that you buy pick up the Combs book to complement this one. Wish me luck on my midterm! lol

This volume of essays was written and compiled as a college textbook for upper level undergraduate and graduate level seminars on terrorism and counterterrorism. These essays were written on both sides of the 9/11 divide, as such some of them predicted the occurrence of (large scale)acts of terror on American soil while others prescribe strategies for countering the terrorist threat in the future. Readers other than college students will find the book of interest too. After all, members of the general public, not simply college students, have asked such questions as "Why does America inspire such hatred?" or "What strategies should the US employ in the war against terror?" This book addresses these, and numerous other questions.Although written by a variety of authors, the volume is well edited. Any work dealing with the US government and the bureaucratic responses to terrorism could easily be overwhelmed by a host of acronyms offputting to the general reader. The editors avoid this problem by consistent definition of acronyms and generous appendices covering foreign terrorist organizations, significant terrorist incidents, and weapons of mass destruction.In addition to its coverage of specific incidents, the book addresses theoretical issues which will remain current in spite of the developments which will continue to unfold across the front pages of our daily newspapers. My favorite essays in the book were the ones which dealt with the intelligence failures prior to 9/11 as well as the ones which made specific recommendations to change or improve the intelligence community. I'll be curious to see which recommendations are incorporated into US policy in the future.

This is a very timely book which draws on the expertise of many first rate people. I especially liked the articles by Russ Howard and Richard Betts. Must reading for all citizens interested in the most important issue of our day.