NCJ Number
85273
Date Published
1982
Length
295 pages
Annotation
Terrorism must be recognized as a clear and present danger to the individual and collective security of the United States and its allies. The United States must formulate a comprehensive policy for dealing with terrorism.
Abstract
Many terrorist groups are supported by the Soviet Union, which spends $200 million annually in training terrorists worldwide. The Soviets regard terrorism as a highly efficient and cost-effective strategy to deny the United States and its allies access to raw materials, strategic shipping channels, military bases, and global influence. They operate increasingly through surrogates (Cuba, East Germany, Libya, Syria, Czechoslovakia, and various elements of the Palestinian resistance) to train and finance terrorists. A comprehensive American counter-terrorist policy must include restoration of the prestige of U.S. intelligence agencies, especially the Central Intelligence Agency. Improved relations with the Soviet Union must be predicated on a significant reduction of its support for terrorism. Terrorist sanctuaries must be eliminated, and nations that train, harbor, or support terrorists should be isolated diplomatically, economically, and technologically. Moreover, the United States should aid friendly governments confronted with endemic terrorism by providing them with intelligence, hardware, training, economic assistance, and even U.S. military advisors. The Government can also improve American embassy security and make terrorism a Federal crime. Initiating a crash program to assess the vulnerability of the U.S. defense, economic, and energy infrastructure is also recommended. The text profiles the typical terrorist, noting most terrorists' middle-class origins and advanced education, and examines their motivations. The author compares the recent antiterrorist operations of Israel (Entebbe), West Germany (Mogadishu), and Egypt (Cyprus) and criticizes media coverage of terrorist operations. The text also discusses corporate security measures and common terrorist weapons and training manuals. Chapter notes, an index, and about 500 references are included.