Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action [Paperback]

Century Foundation (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0870784919 | ISBN-13: 978-0870784910 | Publication Date: November 1, 2004

" It is imperative that we implement effective policies that address the causes, conditions, and misunderstandings that have brought the world to the current impasse. The Century Foundation's "Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action" builds on the findings of the 9/11 Commission and provides a detailed plan for creating a more secure world. It is essential reading."
-- Bob Kerrey, president, New School University

"Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action," the report of a task force assembled and chaired by Richard A. Clarke, assesses the nation's successes and failures in fighting terrorism and provides a detailed action plan for neutralizing the international movement at the core of worldwide terrorism. Central to these plans are the group's proposals for significant changes in U.S. policy toward key Muslim countries. The report also describes the nature of the jihadist threat; provides comprehensive profiles of the various groups; and offers a rationale for the effort and money that would be needed to make the plan a success.

Key strategies covered in depth include:
focus on winning the " Battle of Ideas"; invest in education and development in Islamic nations; implement tailored strategies for key countries, particularly Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq; defuse sources of Islamic hatred for the United States; improve U.S. intelligence and law enforcement organization; reinvigorate efforts to combat terrorist financing; improve U.S. military organization; and accelerate security investments for ports, trains, and chemical plants.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"DEFEATING THE JIHADISTS . . . provides a detailed plan for creating a more secure world. It is essential reading." -- Bob Kerrey, President, New School University

"Richard A. Clarke and eight other experts propose a specific program for safe-guarding America and defeating international terrorism." -- James F. Hoge, Jr., Editor, FOREIGN AFFAIRS

About the Author

Richard A. Clarke has served the past three presidents as special assistant to the president for global affairs, national coordinator for security and counterterrorism, and special adviser to the president for cybersecurity.

Glenn P. Aga is a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer.

Roger W. Cressey has served as director for transnational threats on the National Security Council staff.

Stephen E. Flynn is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Blake W. Mobley is a doctoral candidate specializing in counterterrorism and international relations at Georgetown University.

Eric Rosenbach is a national security consultant for the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University and served four years as a military intelligence officer supporting operations in the Balkans.

Steven Simon served five years as director for global issues and senior director for transnational threats at the National Security Council.

William F. Wechsler has been special adviser to the secretary of the Treasury, director for transnational threats at the National Security Council, and special assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Lee S. Wolosky served as director for transnational threats on the National Security Council under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Century Foundation Press (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870784919
• ISBN-13: 978-0870784910
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,703,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I started writing books after a thirty year career in government writing bureaucratic papers. It was quite a shift. Cyber War is my fifth book and my third non-fiction. People often ask which genre do you prefer to write, fiction or non-fiction? They are both a challenge and both are exciting to attempt. Fiction may be the greater challenge, because of the need for imagination, characterization, dialogue, and plot twists. Non-fiction may actually have some real world effects. I've posted excerpts and other information on my web page; www.richardaclarke.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Must-Read, November 28, 2004

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Avid Reader (Willow Springs, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action (Hardcover)

Like the 9/11 Commission Report and books such as Imperial Hubris, Defeating the Jihadists is another must-read for anyone wants to better understand the threat a terrorism and just how our government may be mishandling the entire situation. Two chapters in particular stood out for me: Chapter 4: A Country-by-Country Approach and Chapter 5: Partnering with the Islamic World. Chapters 4 lays out in detail the conditions in five nations (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq) in which terrorists, or as the authors call them "jihadists," are seeking to replace existing governments or have already succeeded in installing a fundamentalist regime. Of particular importance, I think, is the discussion of Pakistan (a nuclear country) and the failed policy in Iraq. Chapter 5 discusses how we can partner with Islamic countries to promote ideas like democracy, civil liberties, nonviolence, and protection of noncombatants. This is a dry volume, but that doesn't reduce its importance. Every library in America should have a copy of this book.