About the Book
"Writing with years of experience in government, Ambassador Edward Marks and Michael Kraft have produced a splendid history of America’s long campaign against terrorism. The book analyzes the recent changes in technology and tactics that have profoundly altered today’s terrorist challenge…to understand where we are and how we got there, start here."—Brian Michael Jenkins, The Rand Corporation
"…This book provides important perspective on where the United States has been in this fight and how that fight must evolve in the new administration. It is must reading for the Trump Administration and anyone else seriously concerned about the next steps in this long struggle." —Brig. Gen. Francis X Taylor, USAF (Rtd.), Former U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism and DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
"…an indispensable guide to U.S. counterterrorism efforts and policies spanning five decades and nine presidencies … (The book) fills a significant gap in the literature by providing an invaluable historical context to this unending struggle." —Professor Bruce Hoffman, Director, Security Studies, Georgetown University
"A clear and comprehensive survey of American policy toward terrorism over the past half century … it provides essential background for analysis of future policy." —Martha Crenshaw, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University
U.S. Counterterrorism: From Nixon to Trump - Key Challenges, Issues, and Responses examines the "war on modern terrorism," from the Nixon administration to the early stages of the Trump administration. The book describes the evolution of U.S. counterterrorism responses to the changing terrorist threats, from primarily secular groups, to those with broad-reaching fundamentalist religious goals such as ISIS. The authors highlight the accelerating rate of changes in the terrorism situation from modern technology; the internet, "lone wolf" terrorists, cyber threats, and armed drones.
The book describes the Bush Administration’s dealing with terrorism as an existential threat and a Global War on Terrorism following 9/11. It then discusses how the Obama administration both continued and modified previous policies. The book provides an extensive list of key documents for those interested in the original texts and a discussion of legal issues.
U.S. Counterterrorism provides insights and a useful backdrop for future decisions by the new administration and Congress.
Table of Contents:
Overview of the Terrorism Threat from Nixon to Trump. Terrorism Definitions, Sanctions and Legislations. Background: Nixon to Clinton. Changes in CT Policy in Bush Administration following 9/11. Obama Administration: Policy and Program Responses. The Policy Challenges for the Trump Administration. Reference: Key Documents. Bibliography.
About the Author :
Michael B. Kraft is a Washington-based counterterrorism consultant, writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience working on terrorism issues in the State Department, Congress and the private sector. After retiring as a senior advisor in the State Department Counterterrorism Office, he worked on counterterrorism issues at the National Defense University Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Edward Marks served as a Senior Foreign Service Officer (Minister-Counselor) prior to his retirement in 1995. Ambassador Marks was recalled to active duty in 2002-5 to serve as the Department of State’s advisor on terrorism to the United States Pacific Command. Since then he has concentrated on writing, speaking, and consulting, mostly with the Department of Defense.
Review :
"Writing with the authority that comes only with years of experience in government, Ambassador Marks and Michael Kraft have produced a splendid history of America's long campaign against terrorism. This edition analyzes the recent changes in technology and tactics that have profoundly altered today's terrorist challenge. For those who truly want to understand where we are and how we got there, start here."
—Brian Michael Jenkins, The Rand Corporation
"I have been involved in the fight against terrorism since joining the Air Force in 1970. This book provides important perspective on where the US has been in this fight and how that fight must evolve in the new administration. It is must reading for the Trump Administration and anyone else seriously concerned about the next steps in this long struggle."
— Brig. Gen. Francis X Taylor, USAF (Ret), Former US Coordinator for Counterterrorism and DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
"Kraft and Marks have produced an indispensable guide to U.S. counterterrorism efforts and policies spanning five decades and nine presidencies. Their delineation of a constantly evolving threat and the various responses embarked upon by successive presidential administrations fills a significant gap in the literature by providing an invaluable historical context to this unending struggle."
— Bruce Hoffman, Director, Security Studies, Georgetown University, USA
"A clear and comprehensive survey of American policy toward terrorism over the past half century by two experienced practitioners in the field. Their expert evaluation is well-documented and impartial, and it provides essential background for analysis of future policy."
— Martha Crenshaw, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University, USA
"This excellent book provides an informed and detailed history of United States counterterrorism policy. It also includes a remarkable compilation of key counterterrorism documents illustrating the development of U.S. policy. The book is a must- read for those working counterterrorism anywhere in the world."
— John Norton Moore, Professor of Law & Director, Center for National Security Law of the University of Virginia, USA
"This important new book from Ambassador Edward Marks and Michael Kraft distills insights on terrorism from careers that include roles as policy-makers, practitioners and students of the terrorism trends with distinguished service in multiple capacities and organizations within the U.S. national security system. A particular strength of the book, in this reviewer's opinion, is the way it draws upon Ambassador Marks' previous trenchant analysis of organizational limitations and remedies in the national security system and the Department of State."
— Christopher J. Lamb, Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, USA
"I write and teach. Six years on, many in the field will welcome this newer companion. Updates include such topics as: U.S. policy and strategy under Obama; new technology issues (e.g. drones); the FBI's use of "stings" to catch Islamist terrorists living among us; the wider and developing use of special forces overseas; and growing emphasis by on "countering violent extremism."
— Christopher C. Harmon, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
"A rich historical compendium and valuable geo-political context essential to understanding and projecting the undiminished global threat for the concerned public and government policy officials alike."
— Tony Porcaro, Retired CIA and National Intelligence Council officer
"As we confront an array of threats from trained ISIS fighters, unidentified lone wolves, or cyber warriors acting alone or on behalf of a terrorist group or a nation state, it becomes readily apparent that a logical, coherent and fact-based review of past strategies and future choices is essential if we are to successfully confront these emerging dangers. U. S. Counterterrorism, by Michael Kraft and Ed Marks provides this necessary, comprehensive and timely review. Practitioners, and those interested in careers in intelligence, law enforcement, diplomatic, or military services would do well to study this important work and take into account the valuable lessons learned over time when crafting future policy, tactical and strategic counterterrorism decisions."
— Mike Rolince, former FBI agent in charge of the Counterterrorism Division, Washington Office
