Understanding the War on Terror

Terrorism kills innocent people. All of the victims of this war have been civilians who were just going to work, shopping, or having a drink and dancing at a club. Many of the dead have been young students. Understanding the War on Terror examines the war we are living in, addresses the issues, and encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions, and to participate in their own analysis, without the simplistic analysis we see repeated from politicians, the media, and academics. In order to win this war, we must get away from the personal politics and the culture of celebrity that has dominated our discussion since September 11, 2001. We must seek out expertise and think for ourselves. This book is a first step in having a discussion about the most important issue of our day. As the list of locations of attacks keeps getting longer; the repetition of the contradictory message creates an environment of fear, crisis and ironically in the long run, apathy. Understanding the War on Terror helps the reader understand, which can then lead the individual to envision a strategy for victory in this struggle. Understanding the War on Terror helps the reader break the atmosphere of fear, crisis, and apathy. Understanding the War on Terror examines the war using three levels of analysis incorporated into international relations theory. They are: the international environment, sovereign states, and individuals.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Section 1: Terrorism and the International Environment Chapter 1: The Characteristics of the International System Introduction Anarchical Nature of the International Environment Strategic Power and the Power Alignment of the International Environment Balance of Power Collective Security Power Preponderance Neo-Realist and Neo-Liberal Schools of Thought Max Weber's Vision The Kantian Model The War on Terror: Who is the Enemy? National Interest and International Law: The United Nations Conclusion Chapter 2: A History of Terrorism and the International Environment (Monarchies) 1790-1945 Introduction Terrorism against Monarchy 1790-1920 Anarchists, Socialists, and Revolutionaries in Russia The Street Takes Control (Terrorism after World War I) Terror in the Name of Revolution: The Bolsheviks in Russia German State Terror under the Nazi Regime: The Gutter Takes Control The SA: Thugs and True Believers (Who Were Expendable) The SS: The Killing Elite The Gestapo Conclusion Chapter 3: Terrorism and the International Environment (United Nations) Introduction The U.N. Security Council as a Political Structure The Behavior of the Permanent Members of the U.N. Security Council, 1945-1997 Great Britain as a Permanent Member of the U.N. Security Council France as a Permanent Member of the U.N. Security Council Russian and the Soviet Union Permanent Members of the UN. Security Council China as a Permanent Member of the UN. Security Council The United States as a Permanent Member of the UN. Security Council Terrorism against the Dutch, French, and British Conclusion Chapter 4: Terrorism as National Liberation Introduction The Korean War: Stalin's Last Great Adventure Vietnam and Cuba: The Revolution Will Be Televised The Revolution in Vietnam The Cuban Revolution Internationalization of Terrorism Terror Attacks During the Cold War Munich Hijackings During the Cold War Bombings and Kidnappings: Weapons in the Terrorists' Arsenal The Troubles The Spectacular Bombing Attacks of the 1980s Kidnappings The International Environment's Response to Terrorism During the Cold War and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Conclusion Section 2: Terrorism and the State Chapter 5: State Sponsors of Terror Introduction Iran as a Sponsor of Terror Syria as a Sponsor of Terror North Korea as a Sponsor of Terrorism Libya as a Former Sponsor of Terrorism Conclusion Chapter 6: AI-Qaeda and its Allies Introduction State Sponsorship and Al-Qaeda: What We Know Afghanistan Pakistan Saudi Arabia Following the Money: Al-Qaeda's Financing AI-Qaeda as a Fraud AI-Qaeda as a Drug Cartel Globalization: Al-Qaeda Is Closer Than You Think Hiding in Clear Sight: Al-Qaeda in America Conclusion Chapter 7: AI-Qaeda's Terrorist Attacks Introduction Al-Qaeda's Attacks before September 11th The September 11th Attacks and Other Terrorist Attacks Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Terrorism Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons: The Conventional School AI-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons: The Unconventional Analysis Conclusion Chapter 8: The State Responds to AI-Qaeda: Approaches to Counter-Terrorism Policies Introduction U.S. Counter-Terrorism Policy The Preemptive Strategy in Counter-Terrorism The Criminal Justice Approach to Counter-Terrorism Targeted Killing Terrorism as Genocide Conclusion Section 3: Terrorism and the Individual Chapter 9: Terrorism and the Individual Introduction Homegrown Violent Extremist (HVEs) Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Individual Protection under the U.S. Constitution Drugs, Oil, and Borders: What Are We Doing? Things You Should Do Before a Terrorist Attack Conclusion Conclusion Appendix Index