Autorentext
Stuart Gottlieb teaches at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, where he is also a member of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies. His courses and research focus on American foreign policy, counterterrorism, and international security. He formerly served as a senior foreign policy adviser and speechwriter in the U.S. Senate (1999-2003) and continues to advise and consult on issues related to foreign policy and terrorism. Gottlieb received his Ph.D. in international relations from Columbia University and has also taught at Brown, Yale, and NYU. Contributors Max Abrahms, David Cole, Bruce Cronin, Stephen Flynn, F. Gregory Gause III, Rohan Gunaratna, Audrey Kurth Cronin, Walter Laqueur, Susan Martin, Gordon McCormick, Tamar Meisels, Asfandyar Mir, John Mueller, Brigitte Nacos, Julie Norman, James A. Piazza, Danielle Pletka, Michael Rubin, Zachary Shirkey, Mitch Silber, Alexander Spencer, Jessica Stern, Lorenzo Vidino, Karin von Hippel, John Yoo

Klappentext

This innovative text, now in its third edition, focuses students on engaging and informative debates on the most crucial issues in the field of terrorism and counterterrorism. Leading scholars, practitioners, and think-tank experts provide original essays that juxtapose pro and con arguments on hotly contested topics of clear importance to the understanding of the past, present, and future of terrorism and counterterrorism. These include: disagreements over the evolving nature of terrorist organizations, whether terrorism is ever justified, the role of poverty as a root cause of terrorism, whether militant jihadism or far-right extremism poses the greater terror threat, the likelihood of nuclear terrorism, whether military or non-military solutions should lead counterterrorism efforts, the utility of international organizations in helping to combat terrorism, and whether trade-offs with civil liberties are necessary to protect national security in an age of mass-casualty terrorism.

The book's editor frames all twelve debate chapters (six each for terrorism and counterterrorism) with incisive headnotes providing historical context and highlighting the critical stakes involved for each topic. By the book's end, readers will have a sophisticated grasp of the terrorism challenges, conundrums, and counter-options being considered and contested in academic departments and policy circles in the United States and around the world.

Inhalt

Foreword, by John Negroponte
About the Editor
Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I: DEBATING TERRORISM
Chapter 1: Is the "New Terrorism" Really New?
NO: The "new terrorism" linked with the emergence of al-Qaeda is not so new.
Alexander Spencer
YES: Al-Qaeda sparked an entirely "new" type of terrorism.
Rohan Gunaratna
Chapter 2: Does Poverty Serve as a Root Cause of Terrorism?
NO: Poverty is a weak causal link.
James A. Piazza
YES: Poverty is an important adjacent cause.
Karin von Hippel
Chapter 3: Can Terrorism Ever Be Justified?
NO: Terrorist violence is never justified.
Tamar Meisels
YES: Terrorists offer clear justifications for their violence.
Julie Norman
Chapter 4: Is Far-Right Terrorism a Greater Threat than Islamist Militancy?
YES: Far-right extremism has surpassed militant jihadism as a primary terrorism concern.
Mitch Silber
NO: Islamist militancy remains the number-one terror threat.
Lorenzo Vidino
Chapter 5: Is Suicide Terrorism an Effective Tactic?
YES: Suicide terrorism is a pragmatic choice.
Gordon McCormick
NO: Suicide terrorism is a political failure.
Max Abrahms
Chapter 6: Is Nuclear Terrorism a Real Threat?
YES: The threat is very real.
Stephen Flynn & Jessica Stern
NO: The threat is overblown.
Susan Martin
PART II: DEBATING COUNTERTERRORISM
Chapter 7: Counterterrorism Strategies: Do We Need Bombs Over Bridges?
NO: There is a need to focus more on non-military solutions.
Brigitte Nacos
YES:More creative military strategies are needed.
Michael Rubin
Chapter 8: Can Spreading Democracy Help Defeat Terrorism?
NO: Democracy promotion is problematic as a counterterrorism priority.
F. Gregory Gause III
YES: Promoting democracy can help combat terrorism.
Danielle Pletka
Chapter 9: Can International Organizations Make a Difference in Fighting Terrorism?
NO: International organizations are limited in their ability to combat terrorism.
Zachary Shirkey
YES: International organizations are necessary for fighting international terrorism.
Bruce Cronin
Chapter 10: Are Drones an Effective Tool in Combating Terrorism?
NO: Drones represent a failed counterterrorism approach.
Audrey Kurth Cronin
YES: Drones are a critical hi-tech tool in combating globalized terror movements.
Asfandyar Mir
Chapter 11: Counterterrorism and the Constitution: Does Providing Security Require a Trade-Off with Civil Liberties?
YES: The United States needs to reasonably limit civil liberties and bolster executive powers.
John Yoo
NO: Respecting civil liberties and preventing executive overreach are critical to preserving America's security and its ideals.
David Cole
Chapter 12: Conclusions: Is the Threat of Terrorism Overblown?
YES: The threat of terrorism is overblown and more manageable than suspected.
John Mueller
NO: The threat is profound and will remain so for some time.
Walter Laqueur
Notes
Index