The First War on Terrorism: Counter-terrorism Policy During the Reagan Administration

David C. Wills

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Nov 11, 2003 - History - 285 pages

The events of September 11, 2001 brought terrorism to the forefront, but Al-Qaeda is not the first group to try using political violence against the United States to make Washington change its policies. In the 1980s terrorism was rampant; from Latin America to Europe and the Middle East, a host of groups demanded changes in American foreign policy and were willing to bomb, assassinate, kidnap, and hijack to pressure the government to act.

The First War on Terrorism examines the response of the Reagan Administration to the political violence it confronted during the 1980s. David Wills takes the reader inside the negotiations over how to respond to terrorist acts and shows how the Reagan Administration's decision making process was a crucial obstacle to formulating a consistent and effective terrorism policy.

Compelling and enlightening, The First War on Terrorism serves as a powerful guide to what should be emulated, and avoided, from America's previous battles with shady foes.

Contents

• Explaining the Reagan Administrations Responses to Terrorism: 1
• The Context of Decision: 15
• The Marine Barracks Bombing in Beirut: 49
• The Hijacking of TWA Flight 847: 89
• The Hijacking of the Achille Lauro: 139
• The Rome and Vienna Airport Massacres: 163
• The Bombing of the La Belle Disco: 187
• Conclusion: 213
• Notes: 227
• Bibliography: 265
• Index: 275

About the author

David C. Wills received his PhD from the University of Virginia and is currently living in Santa Barbara, California.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The First War on Terrorism: Counter-terrorism Policy During the Reagan Administration; The First War on Terrorism: Counter-terrorism Policy During the Reagan Administration, David C. Wills
• Author: David C. Wills
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2003
• ISBN: 0742531295, 9780742531291
• Length: 285 pages
• Subjects: History / United States / 20th Century; Political Science / Terrorism