"Few would dispute that a major factor contributing to the world community's difficulties in combatting international terrorism is the lack of cooperation among states. This failure to act in concert is tantamount to state support of international terrorism because it fosters a milieu in which terrorism flourishes. This is not the kind of state support of international terrorism, however, that has captured the headlines, which instead focus on the terrorism that has become a kind of surrogated warfare, used as a substitute for more conventional means. States unfriendly to the United States and other Western democracies especially follow this path. Taking a broader view, some have alleged that the U.S. government itself is a major sponsor of international terrorism. Those observers cite as examples the U.S. training and financing of the Contras and the Central Intelligence Agency's role in preparing training manuals endorsing the assassination of Nicaraguan civilians, the provision of arms to Iran in exchange for hostages, and the unconditional provision of military assistance to Israel despite its "terrorist" policies against Palestinians in the occupied territories. It will not be the purpose of this book to explore the evidence to evaluate the correctness of these charges ... The thesis of this book is that state support of terrorism is illegal and immoral, whatever state engages in such actions. The effort, in other words, is to approach the subject of state support of international terrorism in as impartial a manner as possible. My goal is to suggest definitions of "international terrorism," "state support," and "state sponsorship" that in no way depends on political ideology...A concluding chapter sets forth my conclusions and my recommendations." -- From the introduction.

"International terrorism" : the definition of quagmire. Historical background --|t Modern developments --|t Private sector definitions --|t Defining international terrorism : a way out of the quagmire --|t A functional definition in situations involving state sponsorship or support --|t "State support" and "State sponsorship" of international terrorism : the legal framework. Defining the concepts --|t A case history : the 1978 Act to Combat International Terrorism --|t A functional approach to state support of international terrorism --|t Intelligence and state support of international terrorism --|t Quiet diplomacy, public protest, and international and transnational claims. Quiet diplomacy and transnational claims --|t International claims --|t Transnational litigation --|t Economic sanctions. Uses against states sponsoring international terrorism --|t A modest proposal --|t The use of armed force. Rescue missions --|t Armed force against states supporting or sponsoring terrorism --|t Conclusion --|t Some concluding notes. General conclusions --|t Specific conclusions.