ABSTRACT
This introductory chapter opens with a discussion of the role of the Internet and social ties in the radicalization process. The aim is to introduce the central themes of this book, which draws from advances in research on two key themes in terrorism studies: the radicalization process, and counter-terrorism policies. These two general themes are approached from a variety of angles, the most important of which is social networks. This introductory chapter argues that networks should be at the forefront when analysing terrorists (as an analogy, as a concept, as a method), but also when assessing the responses to their actions.
