NCJ Number
114031
Date Published
1987
Length
356 pages
Annotation
This book discusses the characteristics of terrorist groups and networks, their tactics and goals, and how they can be stopped.
Abstract
The discussion opens with a review of terrorism under the rubric of a 'holy war,' state-sponsored by Libya, Syria, and Iran through their intelligence officers and diplomats. This terrorism is fueled by Islamic Shi'ite zeal and has ties to the multifaceted Palestinian movement. Tactics include hostagetaking and suicide bombings. The coverage addresses the involvement of Libya's Gaddafi and Syria's Assad in terrorism as well as the Soviet connection to terrorism. The United States counterattack on Libya is also analyzed. An analysis of the actions and motives of the new European left-wing doctrinal terrorists encompasses the older terrorist bands in Spain and Ireland, which tout nationalist/separatist objectives for their terrorism. Another of the book's major themes is the competition among the many-headed Palestinian nationalist terrorists and the Shi'ites. This is followed by a brief survey of the newer manifestations of low-intensity warfare in Latin America and the Far East. An analysis of the Western response to terrorism offers some suggestions, including flexibility and unpredictability in the use of response options, sophisticated intelligence gathering, covert operations, and preventive measures. Appendixes contain a 'Who's Who of Terror' and a chronology of terrorist incidents from 1968 through 1986. 12-item bibliography, subject index.