Terrorism Today

Book excerpt: 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.