Overview
An opponent who refuses to play by the rules presents a special challenge. This is particularly true when the stakes aren't merely winning or losing a game but life or death for innocent civilians. Terrorists combine deep-seated grievances against society or government with a willingness to resort to any means -- including the murder of random people -- to achieve their political goals. Not even the United States, one of the world's most prosperous, powerful, and stable nations, has been immune from terrorist violence. In most cases disaster has been averted by the vigilance and skill of law enforcement, often aided by the limitations of the terrorists themselves. But occasionally a terrorist attack proves catastrophic, as when a truck bomb claimed 168 lives in Oklahoma City in 1995. As the 21st century opens, combating terrorism is an ongoing challenge.Synopsis
An opponent who refuses to play by the rules presents a special challenge. This is particularly true when the stakes aren't merely winning or losing a game but life or death for innocent civilians. Terrorists combine deep-seated grievances against society or government with a willingness to resort to any means -- including the murder of random people -- to achieve their political goals. Not even the United States, one of the world's most prosperous, powerful, and stable nations, has been immune from terrorist violence. In most cases disaster has been averted by the vigilance and skill of law enforcement, often aided by the limitations of the terrorists themselves. But occasionally a terrorist attack proves catastrophic, as when a truck bomb claimed 168 lives in Oklahoma City in 1995. As the 21st century opens, combating terrorism is an ongoing challenge.