1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910460538603321

Autore

Wilner Alex S. <1979->

Titolo

Deterring rational fanatics / / Alex S. Wilner

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : , : University of Pennsylvania Press, , 2015

©2015

ISBN

0-8122-9204-9

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (264 p.)

Disciplina

363.325/17

Soggetti

Terrorism - Prevention

Deterrence (Strategy)

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Includes index.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Deterrence Theory: Exploring Core Concepts -- Chapter 3. Deterring Terrorism: Contemporary Debates -- Chapter 4. Targeted Killings: Theory, Practice, and Consequence -- Chapter 5. Targeting the Taliban: Coercive Lessons from Afghanistan -- Chapter 6. Moving Ahead with Deterrence Theory -- Appendix: Research Design and Methodology -- Notes -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Cold War-era strategic thinking was driven by the belief that individuals, organizations, and foreign states could be deterred from offensive action by the threat of reprisal. That assurance was shaken with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; suddenly, it seemed that no threat was powerful enough to deter individuals or organizations that valued political objectives over their own lives and the lives of their members. More than a decade later, new research and theory are bringing deterrence back into currency as a viable counterterrorism strategy. Alex S. Wilner updates deterrence theory for conflict in the twenty-first century, arguing for its value against challengers such as rogue states, cyber warriors, and transnational terrorist organizations. Deterring Rational Fanatics provides a full-scale discussion of deterrence theory concepts and controversies, assessing the utility of relying on the logic of deterrence and coercion to counter



contemporary terrorism. In particular, targeted killings directed against the Taliban of Afghanistan provide a vivid illustration of the impact deterrence can have on militant behavior: precision strikes that eliminate militant leaders represent a significant cost to planning and participating in political violence, a cost that can coerce, manipulate, and alter behavior. Though deterrence theory is not a panacea for terrorism, insurgency, or militancy, it can serve as a strategic guide for state responses; as Wilner shows, terrorist violence can indeed be deterred.