Long before the devastating events of 11th September 2001 many countries had developed ways to deal with terrorists, but for the most part these groups were regarded as only domestic threats. The actions of the Atta Group' on 9/11, however, not only destroyed the World Trade Centre but also blew away forever these attitudes of complacency. The horror and enormity of the attacks on such iconic targets prompted an unprecedented response from across the globe. "Countering Terrorism: Can We Meet the Treat of Global Violence?" is a hard-hitting examination of responses to terrorism around the globe, looking not only at 9/11 but also the London and Madrid bombings, as well as terrorist activity in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Palestine and elsewhere. The authors argue that despite the international community being presented with a prime opportunity to cooperate and collaborate against trans-national terrorism, the opportunity has been missed, long-term visionary policies have been held hostage to short-term political expediency, and what should have been a watershed has become a trickle in the sand.
The authors' collective experience dealing with a wide range of terrorist activity, security issues and conflict situations spans over forty years, and includes first-hand exposure in the field. Together they bring their specialist knowledge to bear on one of the most critical issues of today, offering a clear-sighted way of understanding and dealing with global terrorism.