Rogue Regimes: Terrorism and Proliferation [Paperback]

Prof. Raymond Tanter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1999

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union served as the predictable adversary of the U.S. government. Now that the Cold War has ended, a threat which matches the scope of the USSR is no longer believed to exist, but still smaller countries continue to torment U.S. leaders. The governments of these countries are considered the outlaws of the international system, whether due to their support for terrorism or their interest in nuclear weapons. In Rogue Regimes, Raymond Tanter explores U.S. foreign policy with regard to nations such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Libya, uncovering the reasons why these countries are so menacing to the United States. This updated and expanded paperback also includes a new chapter on Iraq that discusses policy options, such as "containment with overthrow," in light of scenarios for the future ofthis rogue state. The book concludes with a chapter on "Rogue Regimes, Contractors, and Freelancers." It discusses the practice of terrorism and proliferation across regimes like Iraq, formal groups like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and freelnacers like Osama bin Laden who is suspected of masterminding the bombing of American embassies in Africa.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tanter's accounts of the infighting offer illuminating insights into the decision-making process.” —The Washington Post

“. . . Highly informative.” —The Washington Times

From the Publisher

"Tanter's book addresses one of the most important and vexing challenges facing governments in the post-Cold War era: coping with regimes that use terror--'Rogue Regimes'--and are equipped with weapons of mass destruction. He imaginatively explores a wide range of strategies that might be used to counter these Rogues." --Henry Rowen, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; Rev Upd edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312217862
• ISBN-13: 978-0312217860
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,264,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tanter views complex policy options in the post-coldwar era., June 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rogue Regimes: Terrorism and Proliferation (Hardcover)

Professor Tanter identifies the rogue gallery during the cold war as containing Stalin, Brezhnev and Mao. With the end of the cold war, America faces different threats. No longer do Americans worry daily about global nuclear war, nevertheless risks, including terrorism, remain. The chapter on Cuba has a marvelous discussion on the interplay between domestic and foreign policy and outlines a variety of policy options available to Washington. The author says that policy makers must analyze the interplay between threat perception, domestic politics and national security. Given the various concerns, Tanter says the option of continuing economic sanctions makes sense if a national security threat reamins, but the policy is less legitimate if domestic politics are the chief motivating force. The discussion includes the cases of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, North Korea as well as Cuba. The reader comes away with a sense of the difficulties that will face any administration in Washington.

5.0 out of 5 stars Even more relvant today ..., September 10, 2010

By 

Henrik Bodenstab (Hamburg) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rogue Regimes: Terrorism and Proliferation (Paperback)

I have re-read the book after a few years and was struck by how the analysis from 1999 is more relevant today, even after 11 eventful years. The dynamics described by the author in 1999 have turned into even greater threats today. The author shows remarkable foresight in not only identifying the players that shape our foreign policy reality but also the dynamics behind the conflicts. Definitely worth reading.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Belongs on the desk of anyone serious about foreign policy!, May 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rogue Regimes: Terrorism and Proliferation (Hardcover)

A MUST READ for anyone interested in one of the major post-Cold War challenges of our time: how to deal with rogue governments and their leaders who pose a global threat in terms of state-sponsored terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The book adds a new intellectual dimension into the heated international debate over the use of sanctions, i.e. whether they should be used to induce rehabilitation or punish by retribution. Rogue Regimes is also immensely helpful for all those interested and confounded by the American foreign policy-making process, including the interplay of such determinants as national security interests, US-European relations, domestic interest groups, ideals, bureaucratic politics, and economic and commercial interests.