The New Terrorism: Fanaticism and the Arms of Mass Destruction
by Walter Laqueur 
 
Recent attacks in Oklahoma City, at the World Trade Towers, and at American embassies in Africa demonstrate the horrifying consequences of a terrorist strike. But as technological advances make weapons of mass destruction frighteningly easy to acquire, a revolution is occurring in the very
nature of terrorism--one that may make these attacks look like child's play.
In The New Terrorism Walter Laqueur, one of the foremost experts on terrorism and international strategic affairs, recounts the history of terrorism and, more importantly, examines the future of terrorist activity worldwide. Laqueur traces the chilling trend away from terrorism perpetrated by
groups of oppressed nationalists and radicals seeking political change to small clusters of fanatics bent on vengeance and simple destruction. Coinciding with this trend is the alarming availability of weapons of mass destruction. Chemical and biological weapons are cheap and relatively easy to make
or buy. Even nuclear devices are increasingly feasible options for terrorists. And with the information age, cyber terrorism is just around the corner. Laqueur argues that as a new quasi-religious extreme right rises, with more personal and less ideological motivations than their left-wing
counterparts, it is only a matter of time before the attainability of weapons of mass destruction creates a terrifying and unstable scenario.
From militant separatism in Kashmir to state-sponsored extremism in Libya and ecoterrorism in the West, The New Terrorism offers a thorough account of terrorism in all its past and current manifestations. Most importantly, it casts a sober eye to the future, when the inevitable marriage of
technology and fanaticism will give us all something new to think about.
 
Review

"We can be grateful for Mr. Laqueur's comprehensive survey of the new terrorism, and for his warning about the real danger it poses."--The Wall Street Journal
 

"If you read only one book on terrorism, this should be it."--James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA
 

"A riveting story of terrorism's colorful past and multi-faceted nature. At today's juncture in history, as weapons of mass destruction begin to escape their Cold War confinement, Walter Laqueur's profound understanding of the politics and psychology of terrorism superbly illuminates a fearsome
aspect of our future." --Fred C. Ikle, Former Undersecretary of Defense
 

"I found Walter Laqueur's The New Terrorism to be an authoritative and comprehensive review of international and domestic terrorism. It is also a discomfiting augury for the future. Laqueur's excellent work is probably the best single volume I've seen on the phenomenon of terrorism and political
violence."--Vincent Cannistraro, former Chief of CIA Counterterrrorism Operations
 

"Walter Laqueur's excellent book gives us a badly needed historical and cultural context for terrorism. This book gives readers a better analytic basis for judging terrorist behaviour and proposed government responses." --John Deutch, Institute Professor at MIT, former Director of Central
Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense
 
 
About the Author

Walter Laqueur is Co-Chair, International Research Council and holds the Henry A. Kissinger Chair in National Security Policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is the author of Terrorism, Guerrilla, as well as Fascism and The Dream That Failed (both by OUP).
 
3.5