As a part of the Debating Politics series from CQ Press, this reader is different. Featuring paired pro/con pieces written specifically for this volume, Debating Terrorism encourages students to actively grapple with the central debates and questions surrounding the subject of terrorism and counterterrorism.

Is the "new terrorism" really new? No : The "new terrorism" of al-Qaeda is not so new /Alexander Spencer -- Yes : Al-Qaeda is an example of a "new terrorism" / Rohan Gunaratna -- Does poverty serve as a root cause of terrorism? No : Poverty is a weak causal link / James A. Piazza -- Yes : Poverty is an important cause / Karin von Hippel -- Can terrorism ever be justified? No : Terrorist violence is never justified / Tamar Meisels -- Yes : Terrorism is a just tool of the weak / Ted Honderich -- Does Islam play a unique role in modern religious terrorism? Yes : Islam has a unique impact on modern terrorism / Andrew C. McCarthy -- No : Islam itself is not the problem in the current wave of global terrorism / Fawaz A. Gerges -- Is suicide terrorism an effective tactic? Yes : Suicide terrorism is a pragmatic choice / Gordon H. McCormick and Lindsay Fritz -- No : Suicide terrorism rarely achieves its goals / Max Abrahms -- Is nuclear terrorism a real threat? Yes : The threat is very real / Matthew Bunn -- No : The threat is overblown / Susan B. Martin -- Counterterrorism strategies : do we need bombs over bridges? No : There is a need to focus more on building bridges / Brigitte L. Nacos -- Yes : More creative military strategies are needed / Michael Rubin -- Can spreading democracy help defeat terrorism? No : Democracy promotion is problematic as a counterterrorism priority / F. Gregory Gause III -- Yes : Promoting democracy can combat terrorism / Jennifer L. Windsor -- Can the United Nations make a difference in fighting terrorism? No : The UN is limited in its ability to play a role / Zachary C. Shirkey -- Yes : The UN has vital roles to play in countering terrorism / Eric Rosand -- Is an outright ban the best way to eliminate or constrain torture? Yes : Torture violates U.S. and international law and should never be allowed / Michael H. Posner -- No : There is a need to bring an unfortunate practice within the bounds of law / Alan M. Dershowitz -- Counterterrorism and the Constitution : does providing security require a trade-off with civil liberties? Yes : The United States needs to reasonably limit civil liberties and bolster executive powers / John Yoo -- No : Respecting civil liberties and preventing executive overreach are critical to preserving America's security and its ideals / David Cole -- Conclusion : Is the threat of terrorism being overstated? Yes : The threat of terrorism is overblown and more manageable than suspected / John Mueller -- No : The threat is profound and will remain so for some time / Walter Laquer.