This illuminating work offers readers a comprehensive overview of ISIS, with more than 100 in-depth articles on a variety of topics related to the notorious terrorist group, and more than a dozen key primary source documents. • Provides an important resource for understanding the historic and geopolitical background of the rise of ISIS • Explains the reasoning behind the Islamic State's decisions and actions • Offers readers material for understanding the key decisions that led to contemporary dysfunction in the Middle East • Demonstrates how ISIS and affiliated extremist organizations use Islam as a primary recruiting and operational tool
This invaluable resource offers a comprehensive overview of the Iraq War, with more than 100 in-depth articles by leading scholars on an array of topics and themes and more than a dozen key primary source documents. • Explores how the Bush Doctrine was employed to justify the US decision to invade Iraq • Illuminates the key leaders and the military strategy they implemented in conducting the Iraq War • Explains how a series of flawed military and political decisions created a dysfunctional government in Baghdad • Informs readers of the disruptive influence the Iraq War has had on the entire Middle East
This reference is essential reading for anyone attempting to understand modern terrorism by studying the arc of terrorism throughout history, from anarchists to Al Qaeda, ISIS, and beyond. • Provides readers with an overview of how terrorism has changed over time and what new threats may be on the horizon • Analyzes counterterrorism policies and what emerging trends should be considered to more effectively counter the threat posed by international terrorism • Offers a sweeping tour of terrorist groups; their tactics, techniques, and procedures; and their ideologies, motivations, and objectives • Provides an A–Z review of "who's who" in the annals of modern terrorism
This illuminating work offers readers a comprehensive overview of ISIS, with more than 100 in-depth articles on a variety of topics related to the notorious terrorist group, and more than a dozen key primary source documents. ISIS formed through a combination of a rise in violent extremist ideologies demonstrated on September 11, 2001; the invasion of Iraq; and the Syrian Civil War. ISIS is possibly the most important conflict group and phenomena of the last half century, and understanding its source and success is crucial to functioning in the world today. This book provides insight into ISIS from its beginnings to the present, through coverage of its people, organizations, and operations. The book begins with an overview of ISIS, which provides context for each of the reference entries that follow. The introductory material also includes entries on the causes and consequences of the conflict between ISIS and the West. The book contains more than 100 reference entries on general and specific topics ranging from key leaders to major terrorist attacks and affiliated organizations. It also includes a carefully curated selection of primary sources that come from a variety of sources including national-level strategy documents, presidential addresses, and ISIS itself. The book concludes with a detailed chronology and annotated bibliography. * Provides an important resource for understanding the historic and geopolitical background of the rise of ISIS * Explains the reasoning behind the Islamic State's decisions and actions * Offers readers material for understanding the key decisions that led to contemporary dysfunction in the Middle East * Demonstrates how ISIS and affiliated extremist organizations use Islam as a primary recruiting and operational tool
Whether one is interested in learning about anthrax, sarin, the neutron bomb—or any other weapon of mass destruction—this thorough and detailed reference is the place to find answers. • Includes a comprehensive A-to-Z listing and discussion of significant weapons of mass destruction in their historical and present-day contexts • Offers straightforward narratives that place these threats into a practical framework • Presents the most crucial aspects about each WMD topic, distilling decades of research and analysis • Features non-technical discussions of the fundamental concepts as well as the basic science concerning each WMD threat • Analyzes the real and perceived threats of WMD from their beginnings in World War I into the future • Provides primary source documents, including a full listing of Australia Group export controlled substances, technologies, and biological agents
This invaluable resource provides students with a comprehensive overview of the Syrian Civil War, with roughly 100 in-depth articles by leading scholars on an array of key topics and several important primary source documents. This important work provides a thorough introduction to the origins, events, and impact of the devastating Syrian Civil War, illuminating the complexities and the consequences of this long-lasting conflict. From the emergence of the war in early 2011 following the Arab Spring that swept across the Middle East, to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), through the re-establishing of control of most of the country by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's armed forces by late 2018, this comprehensive work covers every aspect of this conflict that has devastated millions. The book begins with a detailed overview of the Syrian Civil War that provides context to each of the reference entries that follow. The introductory material also includes essays on the causes and consequences of the war. Next comes the A–Z reference entries on such topics as Bashar al-Assad, chemical weapons, the refugee crisis, the Battle of Saraqeb, and White Helmets. In addition, the book includes about a dozen curated and contextualized primary source documents along with a comprehensive chronology and an extensive bibliography. Provides the essential information students needs in order to fully comprehend one of the early 21st century's defining events Explains how various warring factions backed by Russia and the United States have greatly complicated the war and strained international relations Details how ISIS took advantage of the power vacuums created by the long-running civil war to seize large swaths of territory in Syria and neighboring Iraq Describes how the largest refugee crisis since World War II has spilled into neighboring countries and across Europe
This book explores the legal dimension of the Islamic State, an aspect which has hitherto been neglected in the literature. ISIS’ dystopian experience, intended as a short-lived territorial and political governance, has been analyzed from multiple points of view, including the geopolitical, social and religious ones. However, its legal dimension has never been properly dealt with in a comprehensive way, assuming as a point of reference both the Islamic and the Western legal tradition. This book analyzes ISIS as the expression of a potential though never fully realized legal order. The book does not describe ISIS’ possible classifications according to the standards and the criteria of international law, such as its possible statehood or proto-statehood, issues that are however touched upon. Rather, it analyzes ISIS’ own legal awareness, based on the group’s literary materials, which show a considerable amount of juridical work. Such material, mainly propagandistic in its nature, is essential in understanding which kind of legal order ISIS aimed at establishing. The book will be of interest to students and academics in the fields of Law, International Relations, Political Sciences, Terrorism Studies, Religion and Middle Eastern Studies.
This combination A–Z encyclopedia and primary document collection provides an authoritative and enlightening overview of U.S. anti- and counterterrorism politics, policies, attitudes, and actions related to both foreign and domestic threats, with a special emphasis on post-9/11 events.
This important reference work offers students a comprehensive overview of the Darfur Genocide, with roughly 100 in-depth articles by leading scholars on an array of topics and themes, and more than a dozen key primary source documents. Stretching beyond Darfur to situate Sudan within the scope of its African, colonial, human rights, and genocidal history, this reference work explores every aspect of the Darfur Genocide. Covering hundreds of years, this book explores the religious, ethnic, and cultural roots of Sudanese identity-making and how it influenced the shape of the genocide that erupted in 2004. As the first reference guide on the Darfur Genocide, this text will enable readers to explore an array of critical topics related to the atrocities in Sudan. The book opens with seven key essays collectively providing an overview of the genocide, its causes and consequences, international reaction, and profiles on the main perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. These are followed by entries on such crucial topics as the African Union, child soldiers, the Janjaweed, and the Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan. Leading scholars offer perspective essays on the primary cause of the Darfur Genocide and on whether the conflict in Darfur is a just case for intervention. Expertly curated primary documents enrich readers' ability to understand the complexity of the genocide. Offers an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the Darfur Genocide specifically and genocide studies in general Explains the historical and modern contexts that drive the Darfur Genocide, shedding light on the cultural, political, and social factors that have allowed it to continue for more than 15 years Sketches the many complexities that help explain why the United Nations and international community at large have failed to stop the atrocities Features entries written by leading experts on the Darfur Genocide Provides the text of speeches by Sudanese leaders, national and foreign policy briefs, peace treaties, and United Nations Reports related to the Darfur Genocide
With its analytical introductory essays, more than 140 individual entries, a historical timeline, and primary documents, this book provides an essential reference volume on the Armenian Genocide. • Provides an unprecedented encyclopedia-like reference book with more than 140 entries • Includes contributions from a number of the leading authors on the Armenian Genocide • Presents essential reference material that includes entries on all the key events, people, and organizations as well as a detailed chronology and key images and maps • Supplies accessible information ideal for high school students and undergraduate college students as well as instructors at these education levels
"This invaluable resource provides students with a comprehensive overview of the Syrian Civil War, with in-depth articles by leading scholars on an array of key topics, and several important primary source documents"--
Read professional, fair reviews by practicing academic, public, and school librarians and subject-area specialists that will enable you to make the best choices from among the latest reference resources. • Provides reviews of print and electronic resources, showcasing a wide spectrum for users to consider • Presents unbiased evaluations that allow users to make their own decisions on the suitability of a given resource for their patrons' needs • Gives users access to reviews containing critical, relevant, and timely information from librarians and subject-area specialists