NCJ Number
86019
Editor(s)
R H Shultz,
S Sloan
Date Published
1980
Length
267 pages
Annotation
This collection of 10 papers focuses on the nature of political terrorism, the current extent of the terrorist threat, and security measures and crisis management for preventing and dealing with acts of terrorism.
Abstract
The psychological responses of victims of hostage incidents both during and after their captivity are also described, with emphasis on the phenomenon of survivor's guilt. The significant rise in domestic, international, and transnational terrorism over the past decade is described, with emphasis on the growing diversity in the choices of targets, tactics, and weaponry. Antiterrorist programs developed over the last decade by U.S. government agencies, law enforcement authorities, and members of the private and academic sectors are critically reviewed. Factors limiting a host government's options for responding to terrorist sieges and hostage incidents are examined, based on an analysis of terrorist sieges that have occurred in Western Europe during the past decade. Methods of protecting corporate executives from terrorist kidnappings are discussed, and guidelines for use during and actual kidnapping are provided. The tactical, behavioral, and administrative responses of military and police forces to terrorist hostage-taking incidents are described, based on 10 simulations conducted as training exercises for a variety of police units. Research on terrorism is surveyed to identify major research themes and suggest some overlooked resources, such as newsletters produced by terrorists, that can offer potentially useful information to researchers. The spread of terrorism throughout the international community is examined, with a focus on the reasons for this diffusion. The threats to civil nuclear facilities and programs to safeguard them are also examined. Figures, chapter reference lists, and an index are provided.