Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland (Cass Series on Political Violence)

This edited book analyses the lessons which can be drawn from Northern Ireland’s experiences of combating terrorism. The essays in this volume unite analysis and practice in exploring both the conflict in Northern Ireland and the internationally applicable counter-terrorism lessons which can be drawn from the response to it. The contributors, all specialists in their fields, make a theoretical analysis of the underlying causes of terrorism, and explore how this interacts with the development of effective operations and policy responses. The book emphasises the socio-economic and socio-cultural dimensions underlying the problem of terrorism, arguing that short-term, violent/military responses can in fact exacerbate the problem. It highlights the complexity of terrorism as a social phenomenon, and outlines the multi-faceted approach needed to combat it. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Contributors......Page 10 1 Introduction......Page 14 2 Northern Ireland and the ‘troubles’......Page 23 3 The rise of the paramilitaries......Page 48 4 Terrorist strategy and tactics......Page 67 5 Terrorist groups and their political fronts......Page 91 6 Terrorist weapons and technology......Page 115 7 Organised crime and racketeering in Northern Ireland......Page 141 8 The government’s response......Page 150 9 Northern Ireland terrorism: The legal response......Page 170 10 The Royal Ulster Constabulary and the terrorist threat......Page 190 11 The military response......Page 211 12 From war of manoeuvre to war of position: A brief history of the Provisional IRA and the Irish Republic......Page 240 13 How significant was international influence in the Northern Ireland peace process?......Page 258 14 The war continues? Combating the paramilitaries and the role of the British Army after the Belfast Agreement......Page 271 15 Conclusion......Page 293 Index......Page 315 The book combines academic and practical accounts of the measures taken to combat terrorism in Northern Ireland over the last 35 years. It uses key military, police and legal sources to analyse their effectiveness and forwards challenging proposals