The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers [Paperback]

Boaz Ganor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2007 | ISBN-10: 141280602X | ISBN-13: 978-1412806022

The expansion and escalation of global terrorism has left populations across the world and decision-makers responsible for contending with it unprepared. This book, now in paperback, is the first attempt of its kind to create a manual of counter-terrorism measures on all the relevant operational levels. The author's main purpose is to give decision-makers the tools to make rational and effective decisions in both preventing and countering terrorism. The need to contend with terrorism can be found in almost every sphere of life: security, prevention and suppression of terrorism, legal and ethical dilemmas regarding democratic issues, such as the individual's human rights, intelligence interrogations, the right of the public to know, as well as coping with social, psychological, and media-related issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is one of the most original and important books ever written on terrorism and counterterrorism. For anyone wishing to understand terrorism's impact on society and how to counter it, The Counter-Terrorism Pule is indispensable."

—Joshua Sinai, Senior Terrorism Analyst, ANSER (Analytic Services)  

"Finally a comprehensive and practical guide for busy counter-terrorism decision-makers! Boa Ganor offers a comprehensive framework to help analysts and officials in dealing with all aspects of terrorism. His insights and advice on issues ranging from intelligence, deterrence, offensive and defensive actions, the media, legislative policies, psychological impact and international cooperation are both timely and important. A must read for all dealing with the phenomenon of terrorism!"

—Marc Sageman, author of Understanding Terror Networks.  

"The Counter-Terrorism Pule fills an important gap in the literature. Although much has been written about terrorists and terrorism, until now no authoritative work has addressed the critical dimension of counter-terrorism. Although focused on Israel's experience, The Counter-Terrorism Pule is relevant to the dilemmas that all governments face in countering this menace."

—Bruce Hoffman, author of Inside Terrorism  

About the Author

Boa Ganor is the deputy dean of Lauder School of Government, and is one of the founders of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at the Interdisciplinary Center Herliya, and serves as its director.

Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141280602X
• ISBN-13: 978-1412806022
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative, June 15, 2006

By 

N. Catrantzos "Nick Catrantzos" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers (Hardcover)

This is the most thorough, cogent, and intelligently written work on terrorism and the ways to defeat it to grace the open literature in recent times. Unlike the more common offerings in this field, Ganor's work goes to great lengths to avoid or at least identify potential bias and to present opposing views. Nor does the author shy away from tough issues. Deterrence is one such topic. While noting that deterrence can be a matter of image (p. 63), he also recognizes the difference between deterring nations or terrorist organizations vs. deterring individuals or networks (p.64). He analyzes measures intended to deter terrorists, concluding that, ultimately, the attacker becomes used to a given measure and learns to live with it or overcome it (p.74). Yet he also addresses the complexities inherent in making public the thresholds set for deterrents (p.94).

Another example is his thoughtful note that public warnings should only be issued when accompanied by concrete guidelines to follow that are directly related to the warning (p. 260) -- a welcome contrast to the post-9/11 proliferation of nonspecific warnings that often give the appearance of emerging to offset future claims of failing to alert the public.

For clarity, analysis, and insight, Ganor's book is without peer.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most-Comprehensive Book I've Seen, September 1, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers (Hardcover)

Dr. Ganor is an expert on counter-terrorism from the country with the most experience in that area -- Israel. He has spent his life sturying counter-terrorism. This book is based on his doctoral discertation 'Israel's Counter-Terrorism Strategy.' It has been expanded to cover the world rather than just Israel.

Most of the book is presented in the form of dilemmas. For instance, is terrorism a crime such as murder where the individual who did it should be hunted down, tried, imprisoned, etc.? Or is it a form of warfare where the individual perpetrator is less important than the organization be it govermental or otherwise behind him? The answer to this question determines what investigative techniques can be used, what incarceration rules should be followed, how extradition agreements are applied (murderers can be extradited, political activists are not ).

All of these examples are just in the first chapter. There are ten chapters, each of which cover one area of dilemmas. Chapter 8, for instance covers the media. The terrorists understand and play for media attention. On the other (and darker) side, coverage of terrorists increases viewership or numbers of newspapers sold.

This book is the most complete, most thought-out comprehensive discussion on counter-terrorism that I have seen. Note my emphasis on counter-terrorism. This is a book on how to fight terrorism, it is not a book on terrorism per se.

Highly recommended. I hope our leaders read this.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book for a forgotten reader -- legislators, October 21, 2007

By 

B. Day (TYBEE ISLAND, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers (Paperback)

This is the most enlightening book I've read as a lawmaker. Dr. Ganor pens an easy-to-understand account, not only of the obvious problems with terrorism, but those involving America's future decisions on how to lead without sacrificing US civil liberties.

EXCELLENT!

REP. BURKE DAY
Chairman
Public Safety & Homeland Security
Ga House of Representatives