Topics in IR: Theory and Practice of Terrorism and Combatting Terrorism

Using a balance of theoretical frameworks and practical policy tools, this seminar studies terrorism, and governments' responses to this form of political violence. It is divided into two parts: Part I studies the history, root causes, organizations, strategies, tactics, and types of terrorism. Part II reviews the main strategies, tactics, and tools of combatting terrorism, including preventive and mitigative measures, kinetic and operational tools, and strategic methods in disrupting support structures of terrorism. Conceptual and theoretical frameworks are analyzed in light of the instructor's practical experience in counter-terrorism.