Unbiased in perspective, this text 1) examines the known facets of contemporary terrorism—explaining what terrorism is, who carries it out, how terrorist acts are committed, 2) analyzes the laws and special forces which nations within the international community have created to meet this challenge, and 3) predicts forthcoming patterns of terrorism in the new century. Post Cold War in focus and written specifically for undergraduate students, it helps them evaluate the dimensions of the problems presented by contemporary terrorism, and challenges them to develop solutions.