Using a two-tiered framework areas applied to eight case studies from around the globe, the authors of this ground-breaking work seek to understand the conditions that give rise to ungoverned territories and make them conducive to a terrorist or insurgent presence. They also develop strategies to improve the U.S. ability to mitigate their effects on U.S. security interests.

Understanding lack of governance -- Dimensions of ungovernability -- Dimensions of conduciveness -- Comparative analysis of case studies -- Conclusions and recommendations -- Case study : the Pakistani-Afghan border region -- Case study : the Arabian Peninsula.