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Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy
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The United States government-backed by the overwhelming support of the American public-takes a hard line against international terrorism. The tenets of official U.S. counterterrorist policy make no concessions or deals with terrorists; bring them to justice for their crimes; isolate and apply pressure on states that sponsor terrorism; and bolster the counterterrorist capabilities of countries willing to work with the United States. While these tenets are sound principles, their application, specifically overseas, raises difficult questions. Does the ""no deal"" policy actually deter terrorists acts? Are there cases where agreements might reduce terrorism, while advancing other U.S. interests? Do isolation and pressure really force offending states to alter their support for terrorists? What factors affect the willingness, not just the capability, of foreign governments to help the United States in counterterrorism? In this critical study, a career CIA officer provides a guide to constructing and executing counterterrorist policy, urging that it be formulated as an integral part of broader U.S. foreign policy. In the first four chapters, Paul R. Pillar identifies the necessary elements of counterterrorist policy, he examines why the United States is a prime terrorist target, and he reveals why the counterterrorist policies that seem strongest are not always the most effective. Chapter 5 examines the widely varying nature of terrorist groups and the policy tools most appropriately applied to them. Chapter 6 focuses on states that sponsor terrorism (including Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Cuba), along with those that enable it to occur (particularly Greece and Pakistan). Pillar examines ways in which the American public's perspective toward terrorism can actually constrain counterterrorist policy, and he concludes that terrorism cannot be ""defeated"" only reduced, attenuated, and to some degree, controlled. The final chapter summarizes his recommendations for amending U.S. policy.
"
The United States government-backed by the overwhelming support of the American public-takes a hard line against international terrorism. The tenets of official U.S. counterterrorist policy make no concessions or deals with terrorists; bring them to justice for their crimes; isolate and apply pressure on states that sponsor terrorism; and bolster the counterterrorist capabilities of countries willing to work with the United States. While these tenets are sound principles, their application, specifically overseas, raises difficult questions. Does the ""no deal"" policy actually deter terrorists acts? Are there cases where agreements might reduce terrorism, while advancing other U.S. interests? Do isolation and pressure really force offending states to alter their support for terrorists? What factors affect the willingness, not just the capability, of foreign governments to help the United States in counterterrorism? In this critical study, a career CIA officer provides a guide to constructing and executing counterterrorist policy, urging that it be formulated as an integral part of broader U.S. foreign policy. In the first four chapters, Paul R. Pillar identifies the necessary elements of counterterrorist policy, he examines why the United States is a prime terrorist target, and he reveals why the counterterrorist policies that seem strongest are not always the most effective. Chapter 5 examines the widely varying nature of terrorist groups and the policy tools most appropriately applied to them. Chapter 6 focuses on states that sponsor terrorism (including Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Cuba), along with those that enable it to occur (particularly Greece and Pakistan). Pillar examines ways in which the American public's perspective toward terrorism can actually constrain counterterrorist policy, and he concludes that terrorism cannot be ""defeated"" only reduced, attenuated, and to some degree, controlled. The final chapter summarizes his recommendations for amending U.S. policy.
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327 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 21, 2011
I read this book with the hope that it would give me some insight into a academic research project that I am working on. So I was mining it for information that would be of use to me, and looked at it from that rather skewed perspective.
It is a well written book; Pillar makes assertions and then backs them up with examples, and other evidence. Although I found it to be useful in terms of references etc, it does not read as piece of academic writing. It is engaging, and informative.
I have only two concerns, and they are not major. I do not think that Pillar covers the historical context of many of his case studies adequately, but perhaps that is asking too much of him. The book is approximately 250 pages long, I doubt very much that he would have wanted a thousand-page book.
The second is that he has so much to say, he really packs it all in. Despite its denseness, the book is quite readable, assuming that you're actually interested in the subject.
It is a well written book; Pillar makes assertions and then backs them up with examples, and other evidence. Although I found it to be useful in terms of references etc, it does not read as piece of academic writing. It is engaging, and informative.
I have only two concerns, and they are not major. I do not think that Pillar covers the historical context of many of his case studies adequately, but perhaps that is asking too much of him. The book is approximately 250 pages long, I doubt very much that he would have wanted a thousand-page book.
The second is that he has so much to say, he really packs it all in. Despite its denseness, the book is quite readable, assuming that you're actually interested in the subject.
March 5, 2022
Good overview of the challenges facing the US in regards to terrorism and the tools we have to deal with them. Outdated, as it's pre-9/11, Arab Spring, ISIS, etc. but overall the message and the themes hold up very well today.
April 12, 2008
This is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about the specifics of terrorism. And he published it just months before 9-11. Evidently someone wasn't listening.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews