Understanding Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism

1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-0-415-84140-5
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 272 Seiten, Format (B × H): 174 mm x 246 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

This new textbook seeks to fill a gap in the literature by providing an accessible overview of both terrorism and counter-terrorism.

The book aims both to contextualise terrorism historically and to introduce students to the multiple concepts and debates that are necessary to formulate an accurate and holistic understanding of the field. At the same time, it also introduces them to the key mechanisms of and challenges faced in counter-terrorism. In all cases, the concepts and debates are empirically illustrated by examples of state and non-state terrorism from around the globe. To this end, the book is divided into three parts.

Part I serves to introduce the students to the fundamental underpinnings of terrorism, and covers issues of definition, methodology and typology while also outlining key concepts that can be used to study the phenomenon. Part II covers nuts-and-bolt issues such as organisational structures, terrorist recruitment, financing and modus operandi, using examples and case studies to explain how different terrorist organisations are financed, structured and how this impacts the scope and nature of their operations. Part III is dedicated to responses to terrorism, and provides students with a brief history of counter-terrorism before moving on to address some key responses adopted by the state.

In covering key aspects of both terrorism and counter-terrorism, this textbook underscores the simultaneous evolution of both phenomena and encourages students to view them as two sides of the same coin. It also places both in historical context and thereby challenges popular contemporary concpetions of terrorism as an Islamist phenomenon.

This textbook will be essential reading for students of terrorism studies, political violence and counter-terrorism, and recommended for students of security studies, homeland security and IR in general.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Singh, Rashmi

Lasmar, Jorge (PUC Minas

Lasmar, Jorge

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part I: Fundaments of Terrorism and Terrorism Studies 1. Introduction: A Brief History of Terrorism 2. What is Terrorism? 3. Disciplinary Approaches to Terrorism 4. Research Methodologies 5. The Problem of Root Causes and a Typology of Terrorism Part II: Operations, Tactics and Dynamics of Terrorism 6. The Structures of Terrorist Groups 7. Recruitment/Radicalisation 8. Financing 9. Operations/Phases (planning, observation, execution, retreat, etc) 10. Tactics of Terrorism (Operationalisation – bombings, kidnappings, targeted assassinations, fedayeen attacks, suicide attacks, IEDs etc.) 11. Non-Conventional Tactics of Terrorism (Cyber and CBRNs) Part III: Counter-Terrorism 12. The History/Theory of Counter-terrorism 13. Responses: Countering Terrorist Financing, Cyber Terrorism and CBRNs 14. Responses: Counter-ideology, De-radicalization and Reform, Public Diplomacy 15. Responses: Infra-Structure Protection, Border control, Transport Security 16. Responses: Intelligence, Surveillance and Assessment 17. Responses: Cooperation (Law, diplomacy, police, IO) 18. Responses: Use of Force (Military and Police), Policy Responses and Negotiations

Über Autor(innen)

Rashmi Singh is a Lecturer at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews, UK and author of Hamas and Suicide Terrorism (Routledge 2011).
Jorge Lasmar is an international lawyer and senior lecturer in international relations at PUC Minas, Brazil, and hasa Phd in international relations from the LSE.