Debating terrorism and counterterrorism : conflicting perspectives on causes, contexts, and responses / Stuart Gottlieb, editor.

Includes bibliographical references.

Is the "new terrorism" really new? No : The "new terrorism" of al-Qaeda is not so new / Alexander Spencer -- Yes : Al-Qaeda is an example of a "new terrorism" / Rohan Gunaratna -- Does poverty serve as a root cause of terrorism? No : Poverty is a weak causal link / James A. Piazza -- Yes : Poverty is an important cause / Karin von Hippel -- Can terrorism ever be justified? No : Terrorist violence is never justified / Tamar Meisels -- Yes : Terrorism is a just tool of the weak / Ted Honderich -- Does Islam play a unique role in modern religious terrorism? Yes : Islam has a unique impact on modern terrorism / Andrew C. McCarthy -- No : Islam itself is not the problem in the current wave of global terrorism / Fawaz A. Gerges -- Is suicide terrorism an effective tactic? Yes : Suicide terrorism is a pragmatic choice / Gordon H. McCormick and Lindsay Fritz -- No : Suicide terrorism rarely achieves its goals / Max Abrahms -- Is nuclear terrorism a real threat? Yes : The threat is very real / Matthew Bunn -- No : The threat is overblown / Susan B. Martin -- Counterterrorism strategies : do we need bombs over bridges? No : There is a need to focus more on building bridges / Brigitte L. Nacos -- Yes : More creative military strategies are needed / Michael Rubin -- Can spreading democracy help defeat terrorism? No : Democracy promotion is problematic as a counterterrorism priority / F. Gregory Gause III -- Yes : Promoting democracy can combat terrorism / Jennifer L. Windsor -- Can the United Nations make a difference in fighting terrorism? No : The UN is limited in its ability to play a role / Zachary C. Shirkey -- Yes : The UN has vital roles to play in countering terrorism / Eric Rosand -- Is an outright ban the best way to eliminate or constrain torture? Yes : Torture violates U.S. and international law and should never be allowed / Michael H. Posner -- No : There is a need to bring an unfortunate practice within the bounds of law / Alan M. Dershowitz -- Counterterrorism and the Constitution : does providing security require a trade-off with civil liberties? Yes : The United States needs to reasonably limit civil liberties and bolster executive powers / John Yoo -- No : Respecting civil liberties and preventing executive overreach are critical to preserving America's security and its ideals / David Cole -- Conclusion : Is the threat of terrorism being overstated? Yes : The threat of terrorism is overblown and more manageable than suspected / John Mueller -- No : The threat is profound and will remain so for some time / Walter Laquer.

"With original contributions from some of the most prominent academics and professionals on terrorism and counterterrorism, Stuart Gottlieb's debate-style reader will compel your students to wrestle with the conflicting perspectives that define the field. Unlike other volumes in which readings talk past one another, Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism features brief paired 'pro' and 'con' essays written specifically for the book that directly address the urgent questions surrounding terrorism. The essays address both theoretical questions and pragmatic concerns including: a) How significant a threat is nuclear terrorism? b) Is poverty a root cause of terrorism? c) Is suicide terrorism an effective tactic? d) Does Islam play a unique role in religious terrorism? e) Can the spread of democracy defeat terrorism? f) Must security come at the expense of civil liberties?" -- Publisher's description.