Confronting Al Qaeda
Subtitle: new strategies to combat terrorism
By: Kevin McGrath
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Annapolis, Md
Language: eng
Number of pages: 322
ISBN-13: 9781591145035
Subjects: War on Terrorism, 2001-2009; Qaida (Organization); Military History; Foreign relations; Terrorism; Prevention
Description: Blending academic objectivity with a clear agenda to devise a new strategic U.S. approach to Al Qaeda, the author proposes policy options for confronting terrorism. He asserts that Al Qaeda is primarily a political threat, rather than a military one. Only by drawing on traditional U.S. foreign policy values and addressing the key political disputes that drive the conflict can the United States undercut Al Qaeda's power and influence. He argues that not only will such an approach weaken the terrorist organization's internal cohesion and politically isolate Al Qaeda from the public that hides and assist it, but it will also stunt terrorism's subversive effects on the American political character.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [253]-312) and index.
Table of contents: title: The framework of the U.S.-Al Qaeda struggle; title: A game of twister: Al Qaeda strategy versus Bush strategy; title: Herding cats: Al Qaeda post-9/11 modus operandi; title: The heart of the conflict: the U.S.-Al Qaeda struggle's political dimension; title: A question of importance: the Obama administration and Iraq; title: A question of priorities: the Obama administration and Iran; title: A question of leverage: the Obama administration and Pakistan; title: A question of willpower: the Obama administration and Afghanistan; title: Conclusion: the Obama administration and the way forward.