Teach Yourself Understanding Terrorism is the essential guide for all those seeking to understand this global issue that affects each one of us. Never shying away from controversial or difficult questions, Teach Yourself Understanding Terrorism is a fascinating and thought-provoking read. It begins by considering how we are to define terrorism (what distinguishes terrorism from other types of warfare? Can a state engage in terrorism? Why should we 'understand' terrorism?) before focusing on individual terrorists, terrorist groups and organizations. Packed full of in-depth case studies, you will gain an insight into the root causes and catalysts, the recruitment patterns and leading figures in organizations such as the Provisional IRA, Al Qaeda, Hizbollah and the Tamil Tigers. Drawing on Dr John Horgan's vast research into the psychological aspects of political violence, this book will also focus on the psychology of terrorism before analysing the possible responses to this complex phenomenon.