Review by Choice Review
Despite the Cold War's end, acts of political violence continue to plague the international community. This comprehensive study of terrorism, defined as the deliberate and systematic killing of innocents to inspire fear for political ends, draws directly on the words and idea of terrorists themselves. Harmon (Marine Corps Command and Staff College) takes a consistent but controversial position that terrorism can never be morally justified regardless of the professed aims of its practitioners--hence its focus on antiterrorism with examples from over 40 small and large terrorist groups listed in a glossary, exploring their ideologies, policies, strategies, and operations. Using violence to achieve maximum social impact, terrorist leaders are seen not as mindless revolutionaries, but as calculating, innovative, well-educated men and women with political agendas. Terrorist organizations are grouped in six broad categories--anarchists, communists, neofascists, national separatists, religious activists, and prostate loyalists. As sources of future terrorism, the author cites ethnic nationalism, the clash of civilizations, environmentalism, social instability, humanitarian intervention, and state sponsorship, which will pose new threats through the use of weapons of mass destruction. A concluding chapter outlines recommendations on counterterrorism. Although lacking much coverage of state-sponsored domestic terrorism, this detailed and up-to-date work is useful for college students, policy analysts, and policy makers. R. H. Dekmejian; University of Southern California
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
