In 1984 when I first became involved in anti-terrorism and counterterrorism efforts, most terrorism was ideological. It was part of the East versus West, Left versus Right confrontation- a small but dangerous side-show to the greater, bipolar, Cold War drama. In the past, terrorism was almost always the province of groups of militants that had the backing of states hostile to America. Under the old rules, as Brian Jenkins stated decades ago, "terrorists wanted a lot of people watching, not a lot of people dead." They did not want large body counts because they wanted converts. Today's terrorists, explains former CIA Director James Woolsey, are not particularly concerned about converts and don't want a seat at the table. "They want to destroy the table and everyone sitting at it." The events of September 11 are compelling evidence of the "new terrorism" and its tactics. Clearly, terrorists now want a lot of people watching, and a lot of people dead.
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, draws on the expertise of academics, policymakers, and those who are charged with carrying out policy to explain the "new terrorism" and its many ramifications. As the title implies, perhaps the most important feature of the book is to provide alternative ideas on how to counter the "new terrorism." Among the contributors are internationally recognized terrorism experts Martha Crenshaw, Bruce Hoffman, Magnus Ranstorp, Richard K. Betts, Barry Posen, Jessica Stern, and Ashton Carter. Reid Sawyer and I have selected new as well as previously published essays for Terrorism and Counterterrorism that analyze the roots of terrorist activity and the global effects of these acts, debate U.S. political and military options for retaliation and future protection, and apply theory to practice in an easily understood format. -Colonel Russ Howard
Brigadier General (retired) Russell Howard, a career Special Forces officer, is the former Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy. He has had numerous antiterror and counterterror responsibilities and has taught and published books and articles on terrorism subjects. James Forest is the Director of Terrorism Studies and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Military Academy. His teaching, research and publications focus on terrorist recruitment and training. Major Joanne Moore is a career Army officer, currently serving in Iraq. Until recently, she served as an assistant professor of political science at the U.S. Military Academy, teaching courses on American politics and homeland security.