When we think "terrorism," our minds conjure up dramatic and horrifying images of hijackings, suicide bombings, assassinations and various other forms of brutal carnage. Placing terrorist acts within a historical context, this book helps us understand the causes, dynamics and outcomes of terrorism.Providing a concise history of terrorism since the French Revolution, the author considers the relationship between terrorism and warfare, crime, technology globalization and the state. He investigates the meaning of the word "terrorism" and shows how the definition and practice have both evolved over time. Throughout, he considers what motivates terrorists and what they hope to accomplish.Written by a pioneer in the field, Terrorism: The Present Threat in Context offers a practical assessment of domestic and international threats to security. This book will help anyone concerned about terrorism learn to evaluate the risks in a rational way, devoid of the hysteria that so often dominates the subject.

Dr. Sloan writes this book primarily for senior- and middle-level officials and officers who will be responsible for conducting war against terrorism. He examines several definitional problems, analyzes the factors involved in developing approaches to counter and preempt terrorism, and looks at the policy issues regarding the use of force.

Brief overview of the terrorist threat, the types of terrorist groups, and the alternatives for countering terrorism. (This paper is a revision of a presentation made on 4 April 1987 at the program-titled Threats and Opportunities Facing the United States in the l990s-that was held under the auspices of the Consortium for the Study of Intelligence, National Strategy Information Center, Washington, D.C.)

Keeping ahead of terrorists requires innovative, up-to-date training. This follow-up to Stephen Sloan's pioneering 1981 book, "Simulating Terrorism," takes stock of twenty-first-century terrorism--then equips readers to effectively counter it. Quickly canvassing the evolution of terrorism--and of counterterrorism efforts--over the past thirty years, co-authors Sloan and Robert J. Bunker draw on examples from the early 2000s, following the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, to emphasize the need to prevent or respond quickly to "active aggressors"--terrorists who announce their presence and seek credibility through killing. Training for such situations requires realistic simulations--whose effectiveness, the authors show, depends on incorporating red teams; that is, the groups that play the part of active aggressors.

In "Red Teams and Counterterrorism Training," Sloan and Bunker, developers of simulation-driven counterterrorist training, take readers through the prerequisites for and basic principles of conducting a successful simulation and preparing responders to face threats--whether from teenage shooters or from sophisticated terrorist organizations. The authors clearly explain how to create an effective red team whose members can operate from within the terrorists' mindset. An innovative chapter by theater professional Roberta Sloan demonstrates how to use dramatic techniques to teach red teams believable role-playing.

Rounding out this book, a case study of the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood illustrates the cost of failures in intelligence and underscores the still-current need for serious attention to potential threats. First responders--whether civilian or military--will find "Red Teams and Counterterrorism Training" indispensible as they address and deter terrorism now and in the future.

When we think "terrorism," our minds conjure up dramatic and horrifying images of hijackings, suicide bombings, assassinations and various other forms of brutal carnage. Placing terrorist acts within a historical context, this book helps us understand the causes, dynamics and outcomes of terrorism.Providing a concise history of terrorism since the French Revolution, the author considers the relationship between terrorism and warfare, crime, technology globalization and the state. He investigates the meaning of the word "terrorism" and shows how the definition and practice have both evolved over time. Throughout, he considers what motivates terrorists and what they hope to accomplish.Written by a pioneer in the field, Terrorism: The Present Threat in Context offers a practical assessment of domestic and international threats to security. This book will help anyone concerned about terrorism learn to evaluate the risks in a rational way, devoid of the hysteria that so often dominates the subject.

This newly revised and updated, paperback version of the Historical Dictionary of Terrorism contains a wealth of information regarding major terrorists groups, significant terrorist events and the weapons behind the terror. The authors provide a foundation for the understanding of what terrorism is, who practices it, and who is victimized by terrorist missions. It has been significantly abridged to suit a younger audience and provides numerous Internet sites for furthering research. Entries are more concise and easy to read and the bibliography has been streamlined to include easily accessible resources. New entries are devoted to: o Major terrorist groups, o Significant terrorist events o Different forms of terrorism o Statutes, treaties and strategies o New weapons of mass destruction o Cyber-terrorism