The Terrorists

All too frequently we see terrorism reported in the news, yet the what, the who, the when, the where and why can remain elusive.

Each terrorist organisation needs a special cause to bring it to life but after the first act has been committed, and enthusiasm sparked, motives can become blurred.

In the twentieth century acts of terror shocked the Europe: until then they believed it possible only in banana republics or war-torn Africa.

Countries were forced to learn quickly, and while judicial cooperation proved slow militarily the terrorists actually succeeded in uniting much of the Western World.

With its long history of irregular and colonial actions the British Army already had a force capable of dealing with the new threat, the SAS, and its expertise was lent willingly.

Dobson and Payne show how the development of military technology, producing ever-smaller and deadlier weapons, has affected terrorism and altered its operation.

Examining international terrorism’s period of ascendency, they chart the various groups’ actions and their consequences as well as the figures who led and financed them.

Praise for The Terrorists

“An exhaustive nation-by-nation history of terrorism, its leaders, finances, tactics and the new miniaturized weaponry that makes modern terrorism possible.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

“A dissection of the whys, whos and hows of terrorism, including recruitment, funding and methods of operation. A well-written reference guide.” — Army Magazine

“Probably the best and most up-to-date account of the international terrorist onslaught.” — Policy Review

Christopher Dobson and Ronald Payne have between them more than 40 years of experience as foreign correspondents. During the last 15 years they have covered terrorist activity on four continents for numerous newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. They have also served as consultants on terrorism for ABC and NBC News.