Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Conflicting Perspectives on Causes, Contexts, and Responses

Description

Debate is an important part of the classroom experience. However, most debate-style readers do a disservice to students by selecting readings from disparate sources that end up talking past one another. As a part of the Debating Politics series from CQ Press, this reader is different. Featuring paired pro/con pieces written specifically for this volume, Debating Terrorism encourages students to actively grapple with the central debates and questions surrounding the subject of terrorism and counterterrorism . With topics ranging from the root causes of terrorism, the role of religion in terrorism, whether suicide terrorism is ever justified, whether the spread of democracy can help defeat terrorism, and what trade-offs, if any, should exist between security and civil liberties, Gottlieb′s outstanding cast of contributors returns in this edition, compelling students to wrestle with the conflicting perspectives that define the field. Gottlieb frames the complexity and sophistication of these issues with incisive chapter headnotes providing students with the requisite context and preparing them to read each argument critically, allowing them to understand the past, present, and future of terrorism and counterterrorism. Each of the selections has been thoroughly updated to account for recent world events, policy changes, and new scholarship. New to the reader, and by reviewer request, is a chapter, "Can Global Institutions Make a Difference in Fighting Terrorism?" Contents Foreword • John Negroponte Contributors Preface PART I: DEBATING TERRORISM 1. 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 2. 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 3. Can Terrorism Ever Be Justified? NO: Terrorist violence is never justified • Tamar Meisels YES: Terrorism is a just tool of the weak • Ted Honderich 4. 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 5. Is Suicide Terrorism an Effective Tactic? YES: Suicide terrorism is a pragmatic choice • Gordon H. McCormick and Lindsay Fritz NO: Suicide terrorism is a political failure • Max Abrahms 6. Is Nuclear Terrorism a Real Threat? YES: The threat is very real • Matthew Bunn NO: The threat is overblown • Susan B. Martin PART II: DEBATING COUNTERTERRORISM 7. Counterterrorism Strategies: Do We Need Bombs over Bridges? NO: There is a need to focus more on building bridges • Brigitte L. Nacos YES: Promoting democracy can help combat terrorism • Jennifer L. Windsor 9. Can International Organizations Make a Difference in Fighting Terrorism? NO: International organizations are limited in their ability to combat terrorism • Zachary C. Shirkey YES: International organizations are necessary for fighting international terrorism • Bruce Cronin 10. 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 11. 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 12. 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 Laqueur About the Editor