Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century helps readers understand terrorism, responses to it, and current trends that affect the future of this phenomenon. Putting terrorism into historical perspective and analysing it as a form of political violence, this text presents the most essential concepts, the latest data, and numerous case studies to promote effective analysis of terrorist acts. Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century objectively breaks down the who-what- why-how of terrorism, giving readers a way both to understand patterns of behavior and to more critically evaluate forthcoming patterns.
New to the Ninth Edition:
- Uses a key contemporary challenge of terrorism—the emerging radicalization via social media platforms—as a thread to link its chapters, especially in terms of domestic terror threats and the rise of the far right in the US and abroad.
- Discusses the evolving "fifth wave" of modern terrorism, linking and radicalizing groups and individuals in all parts of the globe, recruiting individuals for terrorist acts in their own states and drawing them into international confrontations.
- Compares the profile of domestic extremists over time up to the Capitol rioters of January 2021.
- Includes new and updated case studies on a wide variety of terror phenomena including the Covid-19 pandemic, Q’Anon, the Boogaloo Movement, the Proud Boys, and the War on Terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, among several others.
Biography
Cynthia C. Combs is Bonnie E. Cone Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century is the best book to understand the contemporary terrorist threat, its evolution, and the range of state responses to it. Cynthia Combs’ mastery of the subject makes this an easy-to-read book for students, instructors, and terrorism analysts.
Rohan Gunaratna, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore
Essential reading for anyone interested in the study of terrorism and political violence.
Thomas J. Badey, Randolph-Macon College
Cynthia Combs's Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century takes the hysteria out of the debate on this subject. Through a plethora of excellent case studies, she provides cogent analysis that demystifies modern terrorism, while capturing the horrors of this crime against innocents.
Jerry Pubantz, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Cynthia Combs places the U.S. response to terrorism in comparative context by considering other developed democracies’ responses. Reminding the reader that terrorism is hardly new, she also points to social and technological changes that make understanding terrorism today especially urgent.
Susan J. Siena, Indiana University
Combs’ excellent synthesis of the research literature and deft use of case studies to illustrate points are broad enough for beginners to political science and international relations and, simultaneously, deep enough for advanced students.
Christopher R. Cook, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Once again, Cynthia Combs’ timely revisions reflect the evolving issues and current trends in terrorism and its study. This methodically written work is the one terrorism text that always maintains my student’s interest.
Patrick J. Reynolds, Fairleigh Dickinson University
With strong analysis, case studies, and discussions, Cynthia Combs empowers students to take the conceptual frameworks provided in the chapters and apply them to fast-changing events in the field. Her chosen focus on the legalities of terrorist acts, which are less biased than subjective assessments of terrorists and their groups, is valued by instructors. The book’s focus on technology and how that applies to the potential infringement – not only on personal safety but government operations, finances, and infrastructure – is always popular with students.
Melissa F. Gayan, Georgia Southern University
