The authors (Leiden U. and COT Institute of Safety, the Netherlands) present a basic survey of terrorism and counterterrorism issues that is largely in sync with current US governmental perspectives and approaches (although with perhaps a greater emphasis on the rule of law, albeit mostly as handicap) . They recommend that alliances of democratic states (and not the United Nations) confront the relatively new threat of "catastrophic terrorism," concentrating on five missions: "do not deny the most serious threat," "making life as difficult as possible for terrorists," "acute crisis management," "disaster relief," and "channeling collective stress." They also discuss the role of governmental and societal actors in supporting theses missions. Annotation 2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
