On 25 June 1996 a terrorist attack upon US forces deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia resulted in nineteen fatalities and numerous injuries. The Khobar Towers tragedy serves as yet another grim reminder of the increasing vulnerability and likelihood of attack to US forces in garrison both abroad and potentially at home. This research examines the chronology of events leading up to the explosion and offers varied analysis of the conflicting conclusions resulting from the multiple investigative reports which ensued. Were the lessons learned from the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in October 1983 absorbed? Did they apply? Can future incidents such as this be effectively prevented? At what sacrifice? To what extent do we or should we hold commanders responsible, accountable, or culpable for acts of rogue states while executing their mission especially regarding Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) where requirements may exist to remain politically or culturally inert? There have been four separate investigations into the circumstances leading up to and immediately following this event: 1. The Khobar Towers Bombing Incident- House Committee on National Security 2. The Force Protection Assessment of USCENTCOM AOR and Khobar Towers Report of the Downing Assessment Task Force- Gen. (Ret) Wayne A. Downing 3. The Independent Review of the Khobar Towers Bombing- Lt Gen James F. Record 4. The Report of Investigation, Volumes I - III, Khobar Towers Bombing, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia- Inspector General and Judge Advocate General of the US Air Force Based on these investigations, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen wrote his report entitled: Personal Accountability for Force Protection at Khobar Towers.

On 25 June 1996 a terrorist attack upon US forces deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia resulted in nineteen fatalities and numerous injuries. The Khobar Towers tragedy serves as yet another grim reminder of the increasing vulnerability and likelihood of attack to US forces in garrison both abroad and potentially at home. This research examines the chronology of events leading up to the explosion and offers varied analysis of the conflicting conclusions resulting from the multiple investigative reports which ensued. Were the lessons learned from the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in October 1983 absorbed? Did they apply? Can future incidents such as this be effectively prevented? At what sacrifice? To what extent do we or should we hold commanders responsible, accountable, or culpable for acts of rogue states while executing their mission especially regarding Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) where requirements may exist to remain politically or culturally inert? There have been four separate investigations into the circumstances leading up to and immediately following this event: 1. The Khobar Towers Bombing Incident- House Committee on National Security 2. The Force Protection Assessment of USCENTCOM AOR and Khobar Towers Report of the Downing Assessment Task Force- Gen. (Ret) Wayne A. Downing 3. The Independent Review of the Khobar Towers Bombing- Lt Gen James F. Record 4. The Report of Investigation, Volumes I - III, Khobar Towers Bombing, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia- Inspector General and Judge Advocate General of the US Air Force Based on these investigations, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen wrote his report entitled: Personal Accountability for Force Protection at Khobar Towers.

Terrorism is a complex phenomenon that cannot be understood through reading of a number of unrelated academic articles or a dry overview of the history of terrorism or the investigative techniques. For A New Understanding of Terrorism, the Editors have chosen a different paradigm. They have selected numerous case studies from actual events that illustrate various typologies of terrorist actions, be it from a separatist, nationalist, lone-wolf individual terrorist, religious fanatics or environmentalist orientation, and they present these cases within the context of following the trajectories of the terrorist activity, the terrorist act itself and, the response to the event from the relevant authorities. Some chapters concentrate on terrorist attacks that actually took place, others speculate about the possibilities of an attack occurring sometime in the future, such as the chapters on the Olympic Games, Aviation or Rail Security. When possibilities rather than a specific event are discussed, the authors of these chapters draw the attention of the reader towards the same direction—the reasoning, the actual event and the response that followed. The thorough analysis of the presented case studies and the applied counter-measures will, hopefully, if not curtail then possibly at least mitigate the operational and ideological strength of terrorist groups or individual actors. A New Understanding of Terrorism will enable the reader to make the connection between the emotional charge inherent in any terrorist activity, the cold-blooded tactics that lead to the terrorist event itself and the pragmatic and very straightforward, but at the same time very simplistically designed, strategic response that has to come from a synergy between academics, military and law enforcement brainstorming design in order to be more effective in the future. ABOUT THE EDITORS: M.R. (Maki) Haberfeld is a Professor of Police Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. She has worked for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in the New York Field Office, as a special consultant. Prior to that she has served in a counter-terrorist unit in the Israeli Defense Forces and she left the army at the rank of Sergeant. She was also a lieutenant in the Israel National Police. For the past eight years, Dr. Haberfeld has been involved in developing, coordinating and teaching in a special training program for the New York City Police Department, where she teaches courses in police ethics, leadership and counter-terrorism. She was also an Academic Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Executive Police Institute for the State of New York, where she taught modules on counter-terrorism response. Agostino von Hassell is the president of The Repton Group LLC, a New York City based consulting group that deals mostly with national security issues. He has written numerous political and historical articles and is the author of two major military histories, Warriors: The United States Marine Corps and Strike Force: Marine Corps Special Operations. In 2003, he published a pictorial portrait of the United States—In Honor of America. He has taught as an adjunct professor in the graduate program of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, teaching members of the New York City Police Department in subjects such as counter-terrorism and leadership. He is a life member of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents, the National Defense Industry Association, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and the Authors’ Guild.

"An important and timely book that should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding how the United States and Iran went from close allies to enduring enemies." -The Washington Post "Deserves a spot on the short list of must-read books on United States-Iran relations." -The New York Times The dramatic secret history of the undeclared, ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran. The United States and Iran have been engaged in an unacknowledged secret war since the 1970s. This conflict has frustrated multiple American presidents, divided administrations, and repeatedly threatened to bring the two nations to the brink of open warfare. Drawing upon unparalleled access to senior officials and key documents of several U.S. administrations, David Crist, a senior historian in the federal government, breaks new ground on virtually every page of The Twilight War. From the Iranian Revolution to secret negotiations between Iran and the United States after 9/11, from Iran’s nuclear program to the secretive and deadly role of Qasem Soleimani, Crist brings vital new depth to our understanding of “the Iran problem”—and what the future of this tense relationship may bring.

Our nation faces daunting challenges. Sometimes the threat of terrorism or disaster comes from within. 1) Have you ever wondered who terrorists really are and what motivates them? 2) Are you aware of the measures our government has taken to prevent terrorism? 3) What are the protocols in place to assist when disaster strikes? 4) What part has racism and racial profiling played in antiterrorism? 5) What is Posse Comitatus? The Current Fight Within is a resource for anyone interested in the many facets of how terrorism affects America. It provides answers to many difficult questions to improve readers basic knowledge of major concerns our country faces. America only becomes as strong as the people defending it. You do not have to be in the military, law-enforcement, emergency services or in politics to make America strong. We can all make a difference to protect our nation simply by becoming more educated in antiterrorism. Edward Ackley draws on years of personal experience in antiterrorism, law enforcement, and infantry from his career in the Marine Corps as well as his dedicated service to firefighting, and combines it with sound research to provide this informative, fascinating, easy to read book.

This account of the Khobar Towers bombing tells the story of the horrific attack and the magnificent response of airmen doing their duty under nearly impossible circumstances. None of them view their actions as heroic, yet the reader will marvel at their calm professionalism. All of them say it was just their job, but the reader will wonder how they could be so well trained to act almost instinctively to do the right thing at the right time. None of them would see their actions as selfless, yet countless numbers refused medical attention until the more seriously injured got treatment. Throughout this book, the themes of duty, commitment, and devotion to comrades resoundingly underscore the notion that America's brightest, bravest, and best wear her uniforms in service to the nation. This book is more than heroic actions, though, for there is also controversy. Were commanders responsible for not adequately protecting their people? What should one make of the several conflicting investigations following the attack? Dr. Jamieson has not shied away from these difficult questions, and others, but has discussed them and other controversial judgments in a straightforward and dispassionate way that will bring them into focus for everyone. It is clear from this book that there is a larger issue than just the response to the bombing. It is the issue of the example set by America's airmen. Future airmen who read this book will be stronger and will stand on the shoulders of those who suffered and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.