terrorism

War on Terror

There are many disagreements about the definition of terrorism. One I find useful is the following:

Terrorism is politically motivated violence that is perpetrated by individuals, groups, or state-sponsored agens and intended to bring about feelings of terror and helplessnes in a population in or order to influence decision making and to change behavior. (Fathali M. Moghaddam, "The Staircase to Terrosim: A Psychological Exploration," American Psychologist, Feb.-March 2005, Vol. 60, No. 2, p. 161)

Readings regarding terrorism and the war on terrorism:

Middle East based Terrorist Groups (About.com)

"The War on Terrorism" in Goldschmidt, A Concise History of the Middle East, pp. 419 - 448

"The Fundamentalist Challenge," and "Militarization and Terrorism," in Ochsendwald, The Middle East: A History (2003), pp. 732-738.

"The Rise of Muslim Liberation Theology," and "The Globalization of Islmaic Jihad" and "Prospects for the Twenty-first Century," in Mansfield, A History o the Middle East,[2003].

CIA & The War on Terrorism (Central Intelligence Agency)

War on Terror (Global Issues)

Fathali M. Moghaddam, "The Staircase to Terroism: A Psychological Exploration" (A very good study regarding the psychological processes leading to terrorism and governmental policy recommendations)

Fathali M. Moghaddam, "Psychological Processes and 'The Staircase to Terrorism"