Countering Terrorism
Can We Meet the Threat of Global Violence?
Rohan Gunaratna, Michael ChandlerAn examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. It offers a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
Long before the devastating events of 11th September 2001 many countries had developed ways to deal with terrorists, but for the most part these groups were regarded as only domestic threats. The actions of the ‘Atta Group’ on 9/11, however, not only destroyed the World Trade Centre but also blew away forever these attitudes of complacency. The horror and enormity of the attacks on such iconic targets prompted an unprecedented response from across the globe.
Countering Terrorism: Can We Meet the Treat of Global Violence? is a hard-hitting examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. The authors argue that despite the international community being presented with a prime opportunity to cooperate and collaborate against trans-national terrorism, the opportunity has been missed, long-term visionary policies have been held hostage to short-term political expediency, and what should have been a watershed has become a trickle in the sand.
The authors’ collective experience – dealing with a wide range of terrorist activity, security issues and conflict situations – spans over forty years, and includes first-hand exposure in the field. Together they bring their specialist knowledge to bear on one of the most critical issues of today, offering a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
An examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. It offers a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
Long before the devastating events of 11th September 2001 many countries had developed ways to deal with terrorists, but for the most part these groups were regarded as only domestic threats. The actions of the ‘Atta Group’ on 9/11, however, not only destroyed the World Trade Centre but also blew away forever these attitudes of complacency. The horror and enormity of the attacks on such iconic targets prompted an unprecedented response from across the globe.
Countering Terrorism: Can We Meet the Treat of Global Violence? is a hard-hitting examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. The authors argue that despite the international community being presented with a prime opportunity to cooperate and collaborate against trans-national terrorism, the opportunity has been missed, long-term visionary policies have been held hostage to short-term political expediency, and what should have been a watershed has become a trickle in the sand.
The authors’ collective experience – dealing with a wide range of terrorist activity, security issues and conflict situations – spans over forty years, and includes first-hand exposure in the field. Together they bring their specialist knowledge to bear on one of the most critical issues of today, offering a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
An examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. It offers a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
Long before the devastating events of 11th September 2001 many countries had developed ways to deal with terrorists, but for the most part these groups were regarded as only domestic threats. The actions of the ‘Atta Group’ on 9/11, however, not only destroyed the World Trade Centre but also blew away forever these attitudes of complacency. The horror and enormity of the attacks on such iconic targets prompted an unprecedented response from across the globe.
Countering Terrorism: Can We Meet the Treat of Global Violence? is a hard-hitting examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. The authors argue that despite the international community being presented with a prime opportunity to cooperate and collaborate against trans-national terrorism, the opportunity has been missed, long-term visionary policies have been held hostage to short-term political expediency, and what should have been a watershed has become a trickle in the sand.
The authors’ collective experience – dealing with a wide range of terrorist activity, security issues and conflict situations – spans over forty years, and includes first-hand exposure in the field. Together they bring their specialist knowledge to bear on one of the most critical issues of today, offering a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.
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Chandler and Gunaratna say Western liberals still woefully underestimate the scale of the threat. They are right. The seeds of our destruction are within ourselves.
'The Mail on Sunday
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The clearly written and concise chapters on the evolution of al Qaeda are recommended for anybody studying global terrorism. The long sections dealing with the failure of the UN effectively to lead the worldwide war on terrorism are compellingly argued . . . a valuable contribution to the literature on counter-terrorism and can be recommended to anyone interested in the subject.
'Political Studies Review
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A thorough analytical work with the potential to transform thinking about the present strategies on the war against terror, this book should be required reading for White House, Pentagon and State Department officials responsible for counterterrorist operations. Highly recommended
'Choice
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[Chandler and Gunaratna] have written one of the more sharp-eyed books on counter-terrorism. Its a pithy analysis of recent international politics and raises some tough questions . . .
'Professional Security Magazine
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essential reading for anyone with an interest in counter terrorism.
'Military Books Review
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This is the nearest thing I have read to a textbook on countering the terrorism of extremist Islam. It contains a thorough record of key events, a clear analysis of the different aspects of the problem, including the overlay of regional issues and the responses of Governments, principally the us. Nor are the authors afraid to criticise us policy and make recommendations of their own. It is a compact and highly informative read, which should be mandatory for senior officials taking on counter-terrorist responsibilities.
'Sir Richard Dearlove, Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge and former Head of MI6/SIS
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Beautifully written by two leading counter-terrorist experts, this book gives a unique insight into the mistakes of the war on terror. It should be a required reading for No. 10 and the White House.
'Loretta Napoleoni, author of Terror Inc: Tracing the Money Behind Global Terrorism
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The comprehensive international expertise and knowledge of Michael Chandler, together with the lifelong scholarly and practical knowledge of Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, have combined to produce this must-read title. Countering Terrorism is a timely book that fills a lacuna in the counter-terrorism literature, and has to be on the bookshelf of any decision-maker, scholar, student or anyone who is interested in understanding the current and future trends of international terrorism and the strategies that have to be taken to combat this threat.
'Dr. Boaz Ganor, author of The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decisionmakers
Contents
Introduction
1. Current and future terrorist threat
2. To know and understand one’s enemy
3. Iraq: A Strategic Defeat?
4. The Iranian Connection
5. Terrorism: An Enduring Threat
6. United Nations: Rising to the Challenge
7. Afghanistan: Taliban and beyond
8. Initial Reactions to “9/11”
9. Towards Tougher Sanctions
10. Life Blood of terrorism
11. Terrorism and Modern Communications
12. The Reluctant Leadership
13. Pathways Out of Violence
Rohan Gunaratna (Author)
Rohan Gunaratna is head of the International Centre on Political Violence and Terrorism Research and Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. and Senior Fellow, Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy's Jebsen Centre for Counter Terrorism Studies. He is the author of the best-selling Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror (2002) and Countering Terrorism (Reaktion, 2006).
Michael Chandler (Author)
Michael Chandler is a former British Army Colonel and has been involved with security, conflict situations and terrorism for over forty years. He was Chairman of the United Nations Group that monitored the implementation of sanctions against the Al-Qaeda network.