2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Original perspectives on terrorism, April 7, 2008
This review is from: Countering Terrorism and WMD: Creating a Global Counter-Terrorism Network (Political Violence) (Paperback)
(Full disclosure: I currently work for one of the editors of this volume, John P. Sullivan)
"Countering Terrorism and WMD" is not a typical book on terrorism. It does not dwell exclusively on Al Qaeda and its affiliates--it examine the whole spectrum of violent non-state actors. The theories within are founded on new ideas about warfare and the modern-nation state such as network theory, Fourth Generation Warfare, and the decline of the traditional state system leading to the rise of the "Market State."
As you might guess, this is heady stuff. Some passing familiarity with the writings of theorists like John Arquilla, David Ronfeldt, and William S. Lind is assumed by the authors. Many of the authors have also published in volumes edited by Dr. Robert Bunker ("Non-State Threats and Future Wars," "Networks, Terrorism, and Global Insurgency"), which outline these theories in greater detail. While knowledge of this alternative strategic canon isn't essential to understanding the essays in "Countering Terrorism and WMD," those whose only exposure to counter-terrorism is the television show "24" may have difficulty.
While the aforementioned Bunker volumes focus on describing the threat, "Countering Terrorism and WMD" focuses on providing operational solutions for countering terrorist threats. There is little, if any, writing about military solutions--the book's authors rightly focus on law enforcement and intelligence as the most desirable tools for the policymaker to combat terrorism. Those interested in adapting the traditional intelligence system to dealing with terrorist and WMD threats will find a wealth of information. Law enforcement counter-terrorism networks are also discussed extensively, beginning with Lindsay Clutterbuck's insightful review of Anglo-American Victorian-era police counter-terrorism efforts.
The authors range from RAND scholars to practitioners working in counter-terrorism and intelligence roles in military and police agencies. The balance between thinkers and practitioners serves the book well, as both scholarly rigor and ground-level experience informs the essays. Although it is primarily US-centric, "Countering Terrorism and WMD" heavily examines foreign experiences in counter-terrorism, and has a smattering of authors from foreign research institutes and security services.
The book, however, is not without flaws. Because many of the articles are reprinted journal pieces, there is sometimes substantial conceptual overlap. The book's overall operational focus makes it a poor read for those looking for grand strategies (i.e foreign policy, development, and the "war of ideas"), though Philip Bobbitt, Brian Jenkins, and Barry Desker and Arabinda Acharya do contribute insightful pieces dealing with foreign policy and grand strategy. The dense theory and terminology can also be intimidating to casual readers. While it does present foreign perspectives, the US-centric nature of the volume does inform the methods and means involving creating the "Global Counter-Terrorism Network."
Lastly, while it would be inaccurate to state that the book is a product of a particular school of thought, there nonetheless common shared assumptions about future warfare and the role of the state present throughout the compilation. These assumptions diverge substantially from the common discourse, both popular and scholarly, on counter-terrorism and the state system. If you aren't prepared to engage with those assumptions, this book isn't for you.
Overall, I recommend this book without reservation. It is both a rare inside look into the operational side of counter-terrorism and an highly original set of solutions. We are currently in an era of epochal change, and our national security apparatus has not caught up to the nature of this change. "Countering Terrorism and WMD" contains insightful, common-sense ideas about how we can catch up and continue to protect our rapidly evolving societies from those who seek to destroy us.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Books on Confrontation in World not in short supply, February 12, 2008
This review is from: Countering Terrorism and WMD: Creating a Global Counter-Terrorism Network (Political Violence) (Paperback)
Books dealing with confrontatoin in the world have not been in short supply. As such, I was excited to find a book that offers its reader equally a strong compilation of current events on a field of multiple layers of concerns: Theory, Case Studies, and strategies. I found the book critical for deep global analytical reserch to keep abreast with patterns of subtle movement, abroad and right here at home. If you don't believe that America's war on terrorism threatens your freedoms, delving into this book will change your mind as well as advise you of the rights and liberties unfolding daily; that are in true jeopardy. Here is a collection of world class defense and national security scholars, juxtaposed with real-world military and law enforcement operators all sharing insights for aiding the process of the amorphous genie as it unfolds from the bottle of terrorism. The Editors; Peter Katona, Michael Intriligator and John Sullivan have brought together those experiences of industry professionals who expand on materials drawing on multiple disciplines - law, political science, history, sociology, psychology, economics and philosophy - to invite those hazards of clarity in questioning and insight for mutual agency communications. Well functioning agencies can benefit from a wide range of views from this collection of works, and the winnowing of open information source net-working here is a great tool to move from the shadows, and into the global Netwar.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Important, worthwhile, and timely, February 4, 2008
This review is from: Countering Terrorism and WMD: Creating a Global Counter-Terrorism Network (Political Violence) (Paperback)
While books on terrorism and WMD have thrived in this millennium, this one offers a vital approach that does not get enough attention. The editors believe that an international network of law enforcement, intelligence, health, and other professionals representing the interdisciplinary nature of counter-terrorism is best suited the manage the threat. The rapid changes in technology and communications have provided terrorists with new tools. The degree to which we can adapt depends on our ability to create meaningful and productive relationships with counterpart agencies around the world. Terrorists have gone global; so should counter-terrorists.
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