Countering the New Terrorism [Paperback]

Ian O Lesser (Author), Bruce Hoffman (Author), John Arquilla (Author), David Ronfeldt (Author), Michele Zanini (Author), Brian Michael Jenkins (Author), Brian Jenkins (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0833026674 | ISBN-13: 978-0833026675 | Publication Date: April 20, 1999 | Edition: 1

Recent bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa remind us that U.S. citizens and U.S. interest are not immune to terrorism. Featuring the works of world-renowned experts, this book traces the recent evolution of international terrorism against civilian and U.S. military targets, looks ahead to where terrorism is going, and assesses how it might be contained.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Goes beyond current debates concerning weapons of mass destruction and provides a new perspective on the changing nature of world politics. The authors' observations on the emergence of amorphous terrorist networks with ambiguous political and religious goals make an important contribution to the literature on terrorism and international affairs.
Perspectives on Political Science


Competent and well-structure analysis and clear conclusions make this book a useful source.
Journal of Peace Research


Provides a vital foundation for those who wish to understand the changing nature of international order and a framework for action on the part of those responsible for combating it.
Security Management Magazine


In chapter 3, entitled 'Networks, Netwar, and Information-Age Terrorism', John Arquilla, David Ronfeldt, and Michele Zanini, each an expert in international terrorism, spin a cautionary tale regarding the security of networked global information systems. John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt were among the first to study the impact of information technology on warfare. They are credited with coining the terms 'cyberwar' and 'netwar'... Chapter 3 describes one change in the focus of international terrorism of which librarians and information professionals particularly should take note. Terrorists' strategy has been radically altered by the availability, use, and vulnerability of networked information systems... The message...should be heeded by librarians and information professionals of all types-the vulnerability of information systems to threats of systematic disruption is clear, serious, and in need of critical analysis and review.
Sharon E. Farb


Countering the New Terrorism is an insightful and practical volume for those involved in the world of counterterrorist policy.
Joint Forces Quarterly, Spring 2002

From the Publisher

Terrorism is changing, as is its effect on national security. This bookbrings together three complementary papers that address trends ininternational terrorism, the special problem of terrorism in the informationage, and how to meet the terrorist challenge to U.S. interests.Each of these papers pays special attention to the effect of terrorismon the U.S. military. Each also considers the role of militaryforces, especially air and space power, in national counterterrorismstrategy.The study made extensive use of the RAND-St. Andrews Chronologyof International Terrorism a comprehensive database on world wideterrorist incidents since 1968.The papers were written as contributions to a year-long project onTerrorism and Counterterrorism: Implications for Strategy andUSAF Planning, conducted within the Strategy and DoctrineProgram of RAND's Project AIR FORCE. The study was co-sponsoredby the Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations (AF/XO), andthe Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance(AF/XOI). It was aimed at helping the Air Force to address its ownforce protection concerns, as well as contributing to the broadernational and international debate on terrorism. The findings shouldbe of interest to a wide audience interested in terrorism, counterterrorism,and national security policy.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rand Publishing; 1 edition (April 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833026674
• ISBN-13: 978-0833026675
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cannot recommend this book enough!, September 20, 2001

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Countering the New Terrorism (Paperback)

This book is the result of a RAND Corporation study, undertaken for the United States Air Force, looking into the modern incarnations of terrorism, and its threat to the Air Force. However, this book goes far beyond its original purview. This book takes an in-depth look at the "new" terrorism, which is non-hierarchical and often non-ideological, but which is infinitely more prone to deadly violence and the use of weapons of mass destruction.

This book begins with an examination of the "new" terrorism, referencing such diverse terrorist groups as Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda, Aum Shinrikyo in Japan, American Militias, and narco-terrorist organizations. The final chapter covers how to counter the new terrorism.

This book, written in 1999, seems nothing short of prescient! On page 88 it says, "Until recent years, however, few of these [terrorist] attacks took place within the United States, partly because traditional terrorist groups found the prospect of operations in the United States too difficult, politically counterproductive, or simply unnecessary. Most observers now believe the threshold for significant international terrorism in the United States has been crossed..."

If you are interested in understanding the new terrorism and the steps that need to be taken to counter it, or if you wish to understand the plans that are possibly being constructed by the United States government, then I cannot recommend this book enough. It gives the reader an excellent grasp of how new terrorist organizations are organized, how they work, how to fight them, and where future threats are likely to come from.

Buy this book!

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, June 12, 2000

By 

Bruce Benz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Countering the New Terrorism (Paperback)

This book is excellent. It covers many topics, mainly related to Air Force Security, and makes each of them readable and interesting. I learned alot about where terrorists are coming from and some of the things the Air Force is doing to counter them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Pre 9-11 Book, April 1, 2003

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Countering the New Terrorism (Paperback)

This is a fairly recently produced document that could act as a primer for terrorists activities against the US. The books main thrust was how these new terrorist organization threaten the US Air Force and what the Air Force can do to protect itself. Do not worry about the book being to narrow, the authors take a much broader view at describing the terrorist threat and we are not bogged down by new and improved guard post theories. As the book was written before 9-11 there are some comments that are chilling when viewed with today's knowledge of recent history.

The book covers the basic organization structures of the terrorist organizations and how they operate. The book also gives a brief run down of who the current organizations that are active. It also talks about the trends in terrorism in both the type of groups and the type of attacks. The point the authors make is that there are fewer attacks, but they are increasing in their destructiveness. My only complaint was that the section talking about the organizational structures of the terrorist groups started to read like a management textbook, a little dry and dull. Overall the book is interesting with some very interesting comments viewed in a post 9-11 world. If you are looking for a quick brief of terrorists then this is a good place to start.