The New Terrorism: Fanaticism and the Arms of Mass Destruction

New
Paperback
2000
$43.92

Recent attacks in Oklahoma City, at the World Trade Towers, and at American embassies in Africa demonstrate the consequences of a terrorist strike. But as technological advances make weapons of mass destruction ever easier to acquire, a revolution is occurring in the very nature of terrorism. In this book Walter Laqueur, one of the foremost experts on terrorism and international strategic affairs, recounts the history of terrorism and examines the future of terrorist activity worldwide. Laqueur traces the trend away from terrorism perpetrated by groups of oppressed nationalists and radicals seeking political change to small clusters of fanatics bent on vengeance and simple destruction. Coinciding with this trend is the alarming availability of weapons of mass destruction. Chemical and biological weapons are cheap and relatively easy to make or buy and even nuclear devices are increasingly feasible options for terrorists. With the information age, cyber-terrorism may be just around the corner.

Synopsis

Recent attacks in Oklahoma City, at the World Trade Towers, and at American embassies in Africa demonstrate the consequences of a terrorist strike. But as technological advances make weapons of mass destruction ever easier to acquire, a revolution is occurring in the very nature of terrorism. In this book Walter Laqueur, one of the foremost experts on terrorism and international strategic affairs, recounts the history of terrorism and examines the future of terrorist activity worldwide. Laqueur traces the trend away from terrorism perpetrated by groups of oppressed nationalists and radicals seeking political change to small clusters of fanatics bent on vengeance and simple destruction. Coinciding with this trend is the alarming availability of weapons of mass destruction. Chemical and biological weapons are cheap and relatively easy to make or buy and even nuclear devices are increasingly feasible options for terrorists. With the information age, cyber-terrorism may be just around the corner.

$43.92

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 324
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 30 Sep 2000
ISBN 10: 0195140648
ISBN 13: 9780195140644

Media Reviews

We can be grateful for Mr. Laqueur's comprehensive survey of the new terrorism, and for his warning about the real danger it poses. --The Wall Street Journal
If you read only one book on terrorism, this should be it. --James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA
A riveting story of terrorism's colorful past and multi-faceted nature. At today's juncture in history, as weapons of mass destruction begin to escape their Cold War confinement, Walter Laqueur's profound understanding of the politics and psychology of terrorism superbly illuminates a fearsome
aspect of our future. --Fred C. Ikle, Former Undersecretary of Defense
I found Walter Laqueur's The New Terrorism to be an authoritative and comprehensive review of international and domestic terrorism. It is also a discomfiting augury for the future. Laqueur's excellent work is probably the best single volume I've seen on the phenomenon of terrorism and political
violence. --Vincent Cannistraro, former Chief of CIA Counterterrrorism Operations
Walter Laqueur's excellent book gives us a badly needed historical and cultural context for terrorism. This book gives readers a better analytic basis for judging terrorist behaviour and proposed government responses. --John Deutch, Institute Professor at MIT, former Director of Central
Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense

We can be grateful for Mr. Laqueur's comprehensive survey of the new terrorism, and for his warning about the real danger it poses. --The Wall Street Journal
If you read only one book on terrorism, this should be it. --James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA
A riveting story of terrorism's colorful past and multi-faceted nature. At today's juncture in history, as weapons of mass destruction begin to escape their Cold War confinement, Walter Laqueur's profound understanding of the politics and psychology of terrorism superbly illuminates a fearsome
aspect of our future. --Fred C. Ikle, Former Undersecretary of Defense
I found Walter Laqueur's The New Terrorism to be an authoritative and comprehensive review of international and domestic terrorism. It is also a discomfiting augury for the future. Laqueur's excellent work is probably the best single volume I've seen on the phenomenon of terrorism and political
violence. --Vincent Cannistraro, former Chief of CIA Counterterrrorism Operations
Walter Laqueur's excellent book gives us a badly needed historical and cultural context for terrorism. This book gives readers a better analytic basis for judging terrorist behaviour and proposed government responses. --John Deutch, Institute Professor at MIT, former Director of Central
Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense

We can be grateful for Mr. Laqueur's comprehensive survey of the new terrorism, and for his warning about the real danger it poses. --The Wall Street Journal
If you read only one book on terrorism, this should be it. --James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA
A riveting story of terrorism's colorful past and multi-faceted nature. At today's juncture in history, as weapons of mass destruction begin to escape their Cold War confinement, Walter Laqueur's profound understanding of the politics and psychology of terrorism superbly illuminates a fearsome aspect of our future. --Fred C. Ikle, Former Undersecretary of Defense
I found Walter Laqueur's The New Terrorism to be an authoritative and comprehensive review of international and domestic terrorism. It is also a discomfiting augury for the future. Laqueur's excellent work is probably the best single volume I've seen on the phenomenon of terrorism and political violence. --Vincent Cannistraro, former Chief of CIA Counterterrrorism Operations
Walter Laqueur's excellent book gives us a badly needed historical and cultural context for terrorism. This book gives readers a better analytic basis for judging terrorist behaviour and proposed government responses. --John Deutch, Institute Professor at MIT, former Director of Central Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense

We can be grateful for Mr. Laqueur's comprehensive survey of the new terrorism, and for his warning about the real danger it poses. --The Wall Street Journal

If you read only one book on terrorism, this should be it. --James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA

A riveting story of terrorism's colorful past and multi-faceted nature. At today's juncture in history, as weapons of mass destruction begin to escape their Cold War confinement, Walter Laqueur's profound understanding of the politics and psychology of terrorism superbly illuminates a fearsome aspect of our future. --Fred C. Ikle, Former Undersecretary of Defense

I found Walter Laqueur's The New Terrorism to be an authoritative and comprehensive review of international and domestic terrorism. It is also a discomfiting augury for the future. Laqueur's excellent work is probably the best single volume I've seen on the phenomenon of terrorism and political violence. --Vincent Cannistraro, former Chief of CIA Counterterrrorism Operations

Walter Laqueur's excellent book gives us a badly needed historical and cultural context for terrorism. This book gives readers a better analytic basis for judging terrorist behaviour and proposed government responses. --John Deutch, Institute Professor at MIT, former Director of Central Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense

Author Bio

Walter Laqueur is Co-Chair, International Research Council and holds the Henry A. Kissinger Chair in National Security Policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is the author of Terrorism, Guerrilla, as well as Fascism and The Dream That Failed (both by OUP).