"A key component of Mobley's approach is to identify and keep close watch on areas that often exhibit weakness. While some counterintelligence pathologies occur more frequently among certain terrorist groups, destructive bureaucratic tendencies, such as mistrust and paranoia, pervade all organizations. Through detailed case studies, Mobley shows how to recognize and capitalize on these shortcomings within a group's organizational structure, popular support, and controlled territory, and he describes the tradeoffs terrorist leaders make to maintain cohesion and power. He ultimately shows that no group can achieve perfect secrecy while functioning effectively and that every adaptation or new advantage supposedly attained by these groups also produces new vulnerabilities."-- Provided by publisher.

Includes maps of: Northern Ireland; Israel and Palestine; Afghanistan; Egypt.

Introduction -- The Provisional Irish Republican Army -- Fatah and Black September -- Al Qa'ida -- The Egyptian Islamic Group -- Failure in embryonic terrorist groups -- Terrorism and counterintelligence.