Terrorism and Counterterrorism

"Focusing on the continued terrorist threat by jihadist groups, such as Al Qaeda and ISIS, and homegrown violent far-right and far-left extremists in the West, Terrorism and Counterterrorism investigates this form of political violence in a historical and contemporary context. In this comprehensive and highly readable text, renowned expert Brigitte Nacos clearly defines terrorism's diverse causes, actors, and strategies; outlines anti- and counterterrorist responses; and highlights terrorism's relationship with the public and media. Terrorism and Counterterrorism introduces students to the field's main debates and helps them critically assess our understanding of, and our strategies for, addressing this complex and enduring issue"--

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author -- 1 Introduction: The Terrorist Threat -- Terrorism Trends Over the Last Decades -- PART I Terrorism -- 2 The Perennial Debate: What Is Terrorism? -- The Meaning of Terrorism Over Time -- The Definitional Potpourri -- Obama Administration: Downplaying the "T" Word -- Public Debate on the Definition of Terrorism -- State Terror(ism) -- The Meaning of Terrorism in this Volume -- Is Terrorism Ever Justified? -- Terrorism Studies, a Field in Search of Theory and Methodology