In May 2000, British investigators searching the apartment of a suspected Al Qaeda terrorist in Manchester discovered a veritable "terrorist cookbook." This revealing document, which later was submitted as evidence in the African embassy bombing trials in the United States, clearly outlines the goals of terrorist cell members and many of their techniques. This edition, translated by the FBI Counterterrorism Division, provides a wide-ranging view of Al Qaeda's ideology and operational philosophy, as well as the kind of hard-headed, practical advice it inculcates in its members. The manual discusses the development of security plans for terrorist acts, including assassinations, establishment and maintenance of safe houses and meeting places, and the use of counterfeit currency, forged identity documents, and codes and ciphers. Other sections deal with weapons training and the manufacture of explosive devices and booby traps. Some sensitive parts of this section have been redacted to allow for public release. In one particularly chilling "lesson," the manual states: "The religious scholars have also permitted the killing of a hostage if he insists on withholding information from Moslems...The scholars have also permitted the exchange of hostages for money, services, and expertise, as well as secrets of the enemy's army, plans, and numbers." Of particular interest are the sections on surveillance detection and evasion, how to maintain cover in foreign lands, and how to deal with arrest and interrogation. Most important, the manual provides insight into the general mindset of radical Islamic terrorists and should prove useful to law enforcement officers involved in counterterrorism investigations, as well as members of the military, scholars researching the theory and practice of contemporary terrorism, and anyone interested in the mentality and operational activities of Al Qaeda and related groups. 182 pages, ill.

In light of asymmetrical security threats in western democracies as well as in conflict regions, this timely book examines the actors, strategies and tactics of Islamist terrorism and transnational organized crime around the globe. The authors develop an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the ideologies, forms of cooperation, and technological means used in new forms of terrorism. The book starts with an empirical analysis of the new Jihadism as a global Islamist theology and strategy. Furthermore, it investigates the interaction, cooperation and fusion of transnational organized crime and Islamist terrorism and highlights new communication technologies as vital tools for terrorism. Lastly, the book provides an analysis of asymmetrical strategies and tactics used by terrorist organisations, and of low-level terrorism. As such, it will appeal to all political scientists and criminologists studying terrorism, as well as to professionals at various national and international security services.

The nature and goals of terrorist organizations have changed profoundly since the Cold War standoff among the U.S., Soviet, and Chinese superpowers gave way to the current "polyplex" global system, in which the old rules of international engagement have been shattered by a new struggle for power among established states, non-state actors, and emerging nations. In this confusing state of global disorder, terrorist organizations that are privately funded and highly flexible have become capable of carrying out incredibly destructive attacks anywhere in the world in support of a wide array of political, religious, and ethnic causes. This groundbreaking book examines the evolution of terrorism in the context of the new global disorder. Richard M. Pearlstein categorizes three generations of terrorist organizations and shows how each arose in response to the global conditions of its time. Focusing extensively on today's transnational (i.e., privately funded and internationally operating) terrorist organizations, he devotes thorough attention to the two most virulent types: ethnoterrorism and radical Islamic terrorism. He also discusses the terrorist race for weapons of mass destruction and the types of attacks, including cyberterrorism, that are likely to occur in coming years. Pearlstein concludes with a thought-provoking assessment of the many efforts to combat transnational terrorism in the post-September 11 period.

This book explores the interface between terrorism and the internet and presents contemporary approaches to understanding violent extremism online. The volume focuses on four issues in particular: terrorist propaganda on the internet; radicalisation and the internet; counter campaigns and approaches to disrupting internet radicalisation; and approaches to researching and understanding the role of the internet in radicalisation. The book brings together expertise from a wide range of disciplines and geographical regions including Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. These contributions explore the various roles played by the Internet in radicalisation; the reasons why terroristic propaganda may or may not influence others to engage in violence; the role of political conflict in online radicalisation; and the future of research into terrorism and the internet. By covering this broad range of topics, the volume will make an important and timely addition to the current collections on a growing and international subject. This book will be of much interest to students and researchers of cyber-security, internet politics, terrorism studies, media and communications studies, and International Relations.