Overview
Is one person's terrorist another's freedom fighter? Is terrorism crime or war? Can there be a 'War on Terror'? For many, the terrorist attacks of September 2001 changed the face of the world, pushing terrorism to the top of political agendas, and leading to a series of world events including the war in Iraq and the invasion of Afghanistan. The recent terror attacks in various European cities have shown that terrorism remains a crucial issue today. Charting a clear path through the efforts to understand and explain modern terrorism, Charles Townshend examines the historical, ideological, and local roots of terrorist violence.Starting from the question of why terrorists find it so easy to seize public attention, this new edition analyses the emergence of terrorism as a political strategy, and discusses the objectives which have been pursued by users of this strategy from French revolutionaries to Islamic jihadists. Considering the kinds of groups and individuals who adopt terrorism, Townshend discusses the emergence of ISIS and the upsurge in individual suicide action, and explores the issues involved in finding a proportionate response to the threat they present, particularly by liberal democratic societies. Analysing the growing use of knives and other edged weapons in attacks, and the issue of 'cyberterror', Townshend details the use of counterterrorist measures, from control orders to drone strikes, including the Belgian and French responses to the Brussels, Paris, Nice, and Rouen attacks.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Full Product Details
Author: Charles Townshend (Professor of International History Emeritus, Keele University)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Edition: 3rd Revised edition
Dimensions:
Width: 11.30cm
, Height: 1.10cm
, Length: 17.50cm
Weight: 0.140kg
ISBN: 9780198809098
ISBN 10: 0198809093
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 24 May 2018
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
A brilliant and incisive analysis of a major subject. * Richard English, Author of Does Terrorism Work? A History *
Author Information
Charles Townshend is Emeritus Professor of International History at Keele University. He has held fellowships at the National Humanities Center in North Carolina and the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC. His most recent books are Easter 1916: the Irish rebellion (2005), When God Made Hell: the British Invasion of Mesopotamia and the Creation of Iraq, 1914-1921 (2010), Desert hell: the British invasion of Mesopotamia (2011), and The Republic: the fight for Irish independence, 1918-1923 (2013).
