Terrorism Today: (Political Violence)

The new edition of this best-selling insight into terrorism today has been fully updated and revised to include what the author terms the new ‘militant Moslem international.’ Drawing directly on the words and ideas of terrorists themselves, this book is an examination of patterns, current trends and future threats in terrorism worldwide. It explores the ideology and psychology, the politics and policies, the strategies and operations of many active small groups and major insurgencies. The terrorist leader emerges as a calculating, innovated and often well-educated person whose use of violence against the innocent is calibrated for maximum effects. The closing chapter is a stimulating discussion of the problems of counter-terrorism, making several key recommendations. Terrorism Today will be essential reading for students of terrorism, counter-insurgency and international security.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Paul Wilkinson. Introduction 1. Politics and Policies 2. Strategies of Terrorist Groups 3. Operations: Funding Terror 4. Technologies and Tactics 5. Counterterrorism 6. How Terror Groups End. Glossary of Terrorist Groups

About the Author :
Christopher C. Harmon holds the Kim T. Adamson Chair of Insurgency & Terrorism at Marine Corps University. His previous books include Statecraft and Power (1994) and Terrorism Today (Cass 2000, first edition).

Review :
". . . a masterly survey of the big picture of world violence. . . provides many useful strategy recommendations which Western governments would do well to study." Times Literary Supplement 'Considering the continuing challenge that terrorism will undoubtedly pose in the years to come, Harmon’s book offers a welcome introductory survey of the contemporary reality of terrorism.’ Journal of Contingencies & Crisis Management ‘Harmon's work is an original and comprehensive assessment and critique of the use by sub-state groups of terrorism as a political instrument to attain political power.' Journal of Homeland Security ‘This is a remarkably comprehensive survey and a helpful reference, including valuable resources such as basic information about the major international organizations and a glossary of terrorist groups at the end’. Joint Force Quarterly 'Christopher Harmon's book offers a well-balanced and reasoned discussion of developments in terrorism during the past with a glimpse into the future.’ Parameters ‘Terrorism Today was [first] published two years prior to “9/11,” yet it remains the best single volume on post–Cold War terrorism, because of its “straight ahead” style that leads the reader through the types, techniques, and objectives of various groups without an excess of academic jargon.' Naval War College Review '. . . a masterly survey of the big picture of world violence. . . provides many useful strategy recommendations which Western governments would do well to study.' Times Literary Supplement 'Considering the continuing challenge that terrorism will undoubtedly pose in the years to come, Harmon’s book offers a welcome introductory survey of the contemporary reality of terrorism.’ Journal of Contingencies & Crisis Management ‘Harmon's work is an original and comprehensive assessment and critique of the use by sub-state groups of terrorism as a political instrument to attain political power.' Journal of Homeland Security ‘This is a remarkably comprehensive survey and a helpful reference, including valuable resources such as basic information about the major international organizations and a glossary of terrorist groups at the end’. Joint Force Quarterly 'Christopher Harmon's book offers a well-balanced and reasoned discussion of developments in terrorism during the past with a glimpse into the future.’ Parameters ‘Terrorism Today was [first] published two years prior to “9/11,” yet it remains the best single volume on post–Cold War terrorism, because of its “straight ahead” style that leads the reader through the types, techniques, and objectives of various groups without an excess of academic jargon.' Naval War College Review