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The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers

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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.

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.

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

Saw Mr. Ganor on C-Span - May 2005. His absolute (total mastery) of the suject of the (radical) Muslim terrorist movement mindset, and his analysis how to end this (complex, difficult, and long-range problem) ... is nothing short of brilliant !

The phenomenon of terrorist activities has been on the rise in the past several decades; however policymakers with a better understanding of this spectacle continue to lag behind. Dr. Ganor, the founder and the executive director of the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Israel, addresses this issue by laying out the necessities relating to policy construction in terms of counter-terrorism. The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle goes to great lengths to clearly display dilemmas in realm of counter-terrorism, touching upon every aspect across the board of the issue while presenting opposing views and avoiding potential biases. The dilemmas presented in the book include various counter-terrorism domains which are mostly based off of Israel's counter-terrorism experiences and endeavors.
As the book blueprints the proper procedures when dealing with counter-terrorism activities, it constructs an easy-to-follow layout of specific quandaries regarding the conflict. Within each capacity, such as deterrence or offensive/defensive dilemmas, Dr. Ganor reflects upon picking apart the inner workings of each dilemma and displays the underlying themes associated with each. He examines specific questions that policymakers are faced with and sometimes refuse to acknowledge with hasty implementations that are, as he determines, done in a manner to appease the masses.
Dr. Ganor begins by confronting the definition of terrorism. He portrays that the term is applicable when there is a form of violent struggle, which is always political and aimed at civilians. He questions if it is possible to arrive at an exhaustive and objective definition for the concept of terrorism. To this question, he claims, it is almost impossible because the term is always changing. Internationally, it becomes even more difficult because nations are cautious not to brand their own exposed actions as "terrorism" in regards to military actions. Dr. Ganor also questions if it is possible for nations to employ methods of terrorism. He establishes a concrete argument dismissing this due to international laws that deem these actions as war crimes.
Counter-terrorism itself is also difficult to define, as Dr. Ganor displays. He presents the goals and sub-goals associated with policies regarding counter-terrorism and how these goals are theoretically attainable. He moves the debate to discuss military action as a predominate force in halting and preventing terrorist activity. He questions if terrorism can be defeated with military action. Although it is not the magic bullet to end terrorism, military action is a requirement when laying out a counter-terrorism policy. He relies on the concept that the level of dominance a nation assigns to the military component relies on its overall attitude toward the phenomenon.
Dr. Ganor discusses the dilemma of gathering intelligence for counter-terrorism purposes and how short-lived certain sources can be, especially human intelligence. He questions the legitimacy of these sources, and ways that they can improve their reliability. Disallowing these sources based on their danger would jeopardize the effectiveness of the collection. Dr. Ganor determines the best policy is to weigh the cost of the criminal activity and the extent of the risk against the benefits of deterring terrorist activities. He examines the relationships between Israel and Palestine, and suggests that there is a need to create a mechanism for coordinating intelligence.
The complicated and problematic issue of deterrence is difficult between two nations. Dr. Ganor relies on the idea that it is easier to deter a nation-state over an organization, primarily due to the cost-benefit analysis. He questions if it is possible to completely deter terrorists. Although the belief is that terrorists operate with the "I have nothing to lose" approach, Dr. Ganor denies that, claiming they do operate rationally. However, their weight gauge on cost-benefit analysis defers from other cultures. This sense of loss does not make them totally invincible.
Dr. Ganor approaches the issue of offensive action against terrorism with caution. He outlines many areas of offensive actions, such as purposes and costs. He questions its effectiveness and analyses one form in particular; target killing. His concern with target killings, besides the absence of due process, is the "boomerang effect", which is the process by terrorist groups using such offensive strikes as propaganda in its efforts to attract supporters. Dr. Ganor speculates that defensive actions, although expensive and wide, perform well at detracting attacks.
The soft-underbelly side of a liberal-democracy is particularly vulnerable to both sides of terrorism, the targeted government and the aggressive advisory. Dr. Ganor relies on the idea that terrorists take advantage of the values and institutions of liberal-democratic countries. Two specific dilemmas arise out of this thought. One is the governance dilemma in dealing with terrorism, which must maintain a sense of legitimacy by safeguarding liberal values, but being effective in protection. The other is the ethical dilemma with terrorism, which concerns human right and civil liberties. By analyzing specific ethical areas, such as interrogation, Dr. Ganor portrays how to be effective within the boundaries of liberal-democracies.
Dr. Ganor plunges into legislative and punitive actions that can be taken against terrorists and their assets. He questions if terrorism could be fought using regular criminal law. If a country is faced with wide-spread terrorist activities, he says it must establish a legal foundation to deal with the problem; however this established agenda must be temporary, enabling society to continue to function. He expressively cautions on collective punishments, but speculates that provocative punishment such as administrative detention and deportation, although not without their flaws, are effective measures.
Without the media, terrorist actions would only be limited in scope as petty crimes. The publicity that these events bring about and the attention they draw from international audiences is what makes the actions of the terrorists effective. Dr. Ganor claims that news broadcasters must find a balance between reporting the news in real time, without censorship, but must not forget their civic duty to avoid being used to the benefit of the perpetrators. He analytically compares terrorism to a theater production, and the media as a main component.
Dr. Ganor focuses upon the psychological effect of terrorist acts. He vividly distinguishes two types of reactions to a terrorist incident. One is rational fear, which, according to Dr. Ganor, is heightened caution that does not prevent an individual from conducting daily activities. Irrational anxiety, on the other hand, is a fear that incapacitates an individual to the point where the individual cannot conduct daily affairs. This psychological incapacitation is what the terrorists want, and seek to influence policymakers on their end political goals. Understanding this simple point will allow more accurate and effective decisions.
The greatest contribution that The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle presents toward the discussion of Israeli terrorism is the expansive personal aspects through interviews with high ranking affiliates with vast, practical knowledge on the subject. Providers include the serving Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, former prime ministers Benjamin Netanyahu, Yitzhak Shamir, and Shimon Peres, a former member of Shin Bet, Yaakov Perry, former members of Mossad, a former adviser, Raft Etan, and former Israeli defense minister Moshe Arens. These contributors and others of equal stature give the book unparalleled insights into the center of Israeli decision making.
Among the many decisions that Dr. Ganor recommends, including the power of education as a tool of counterterrorism and nullifying the terrorist's strategy, he continually focuses on an international cooperation. This international alliance of counter-terrorism relies on a concrete definition of identifying terrorism and contributes many aspects currently absent from the perpetual battle, which include an international academic community, an international military force, and an international terrorism court. This ambitious perspective, although realistically seeming problematic and conceivably unmanageable, would allow nations to strive for international alliance on the grounds of terrorism and how to deter attacks.
The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle is intended to serve as a guide to the bewildered consumer, a tool for decision makers at all levels of government, industry, military, police, academics, and the public at large. Through the spectrum of the Israeli struggle and dilemmas brought upon by years of experience, Dr. Ganor succeeds in this intention by splendidly capturing the inevitable fundamental truths regarding counter-terrorism.

This book was in great shape just as described. Also the shipping was incredibly speedy!