Counterterrorism Strategies: Successes and Failures of Six Nations

Despite the wake-up call of September 11, 2001, terrorism remains a dire threat to the security of all civilized nations, making it imperative for leaders to develop better national, regional, and global strategies to counter its many forms. Counterterrorism Strategies examines how six countries have combated terrorist groups from the 1970s to the present and draws lessons that are applicable to today’s threats. Some of this important new book’s case studies are the U.S. pursuit of al Qaeda, Italy’s efforts against the extreme left-wing Red Brigades and extreme right-wing New Order, Germany’s battles with the Red Army Faction, France’s struggles with separatist movements and international terrorist Carlos the Jackal, Egypt’s experience with Islamist terrorism, and Sri Lanka’s long confrontation with the Tamil Tigers. Counterterrorism Strategies shows that there are no simple or complete solutions to the dangers posed by determined and elusive terrorists, but several of the countries detailed here have had significant successes. The contributors’ analyses of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of strategies used by these six countries offer a counterterrorism road map for the twenty-first century. This book is essential reading for policymakers, for counterterrorism scholars and professionals, and for members of the general public who are concerned about the direction of the international campaign against terrorism.