The Terrorist Trap: America's Experience with Terrorism

Simon argues that terrorism occurs in escalating cycles, and that a new wave of terrorist violence, including attacks aimed at the U.S. and its allies, is inevitable. In a disturbing, timely, compelling report, he scrutinizes America's response to terrorism, from Thomas Jefferson's measures against Barbary pirates who took hundreds of Americans hostage, to Manhattan's World Trade Center bombing by Muslim extremists in 1993. A former Rand Corporation terrorism researcher, now editor-in-chief of TVI (Terrorism, Violence, Insurgency) Report, Simon profiles a terroristic world of shifting groups and state sponsors, changing its tactics and causes in response to religious fanaticism, ethnic or nationalist conflict, political ideologies, criminal greed, poverty and alienation. After assessing the potential for terrorists to use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, he outlines steps that governments, intelligence agencies and the news media can take to reduce terrorists' psychological advantage and to thwart their actions. Photos. Major ad/promo; author tour. (Oct.)