Terrorism and U.S. foreign policy / Paul R. Pillar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pillar, Paul R., 1947-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Terrorism.

Terrorism--Prevention.

United States--Foreign relations.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (286 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Terrorism and US foreign policy

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution Press, c2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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 are: 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 f.

Contents:

Introduction

The dimensions of terrorism and counterterrorism

Terrorism, the United States, and the world order

Counterterrorist instruments

Groups

States

Publics

Lessons and futures.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-259) and index.

ISBN:

9786610813438

9781280813436

1280813431

9780815798743

0815798741

OCLC:

614662590