Current Perspectives on International Terrorism

The study of international terrorism is replete with case-studies and ideological arguments on the causes of terrorist behaviour. Yet all too little systematic analysis of terrorism as an international behavioural phenomenon exists in the current literature. This book provides an in depth analysis of the seven most vital perspectives on international terrorism perspectives which are critical to a rational policy for dealing with and responding to international terrorism: psychological factors in terrorism; goals and objectives of terrorism; empirical research on terrorism; support mechanisms for terrorists; state sponsorship of terrorism; state response to terrorism; and future trends in terrorism. Each of the chapters has been written by a leading scholar in the field.

The book will be useful to all those who study international terrorism. It provides a set of required readings for the student of international terrorism who wishes to understand the causes and manifestations of as well as potential responses to terrorism and methods of analysing the phenomenon. It will be useful for government practitioners and policy-makers as it provides a systematic analysis and investigation of those factors which must be understood in order to better structure policies towards terrorism.