ABSTRACT

Containing essays by an array of top international scholars, this new book provides a comprehensive analytical critique of the current state of research in the terrorism and counterterrorism studies field, what it has substantively achieved over the years and where it should be heading in the future.

Offering an overall examination of research achievements and gaps in scholarly efforts towards understanding terrorism as a complex behavioural and social phenomenon, it also assesses various research approaches into counterterrorism studies, clearly identifying a pathway for prioritized future research agendas in the field. This future research agenda is further enhanced by the provision of an appendix containing 444 identified research topics developed by the United Nations Terrorism Prevention Branch.

Mapping Terrorism Research builds a cohesive, interdisciplinary and high-quality research agenda in terrorism and counterterrorism for future generations of academic students, scholars as well as practitioners, and will appeal to students of terrorism studies, political science and international relations.

chapter 1|28 pages

Introduction: mapping terrorism research

Challenges and priorities

part I|158 pages

Advances towards our understanding of terrorism as a complex behavioural and social phenomenon

chapter 2|20 pages

New trends in terrorism studies

Strengths and weaknesses

chapter 6|21 pages

Understanding terrorist motivation

A socio-psychological perspective

chapter 7|37 pages

Approaching al-Qaeda's warfare

Function, culture and grand strategy

part II|66 pages

Unpacking the counterterrorism toolbox

chapter 9|21 pages

Intelligence analysis and counterterrorism

How lies the landscape?

chapter 10|26 pages

Counterterrorism as global governance

A research inventory

chapter 11|17 pages

Competing with terrorists in cyberspace

Opportunities and hurdles

part III|76 pages

Future Directions in Terrorism Research