Just War on Terror?

'Terrorism is the major threat facing many countries in the world and it is vital that we think clearly about the best way in which it can be countered, not just from a practical but also a moral point of view. I believe this book, with distinguished contributors, drawing on a wide range of experience and expertise, helps us greatly in this task.' Richard Harries, Lord Harries of Pentregarth 'Countering terrorism is crucial for us all. This joint Christian-Muslim response is both a valuable reminder of that fact and a source of specialist analysis and good advice.' Right Honourable Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC, MP, former Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Defence 'An essential read of both Muslim and Christian views for anyone interested in defeating the threat of terrorism that advances an extreme religious interpretation of events - our primary security concern.' General Sir Rupert Smith, Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in NATO and author of The Utility of Force '[Philip Bobbitt's] penultimate contribution is followed by a gem of a concluding chapter, a quite terrific reflection by the two editors on the weaknesses of al-Qaeda and of US-led responses to them...the best contribution of all (is) the chapter by the UK's former security and intelligence coordinator and permanent secretary at the Home Office, Sir David Omand... the best treatment I have read of the problem of counterterrorism from the security perspective...Omand is an insider through and through and the chapter oozes authority, but it is also humane, unpompous and challengingly intelligent... The editors have done very well to have obtained such good stuff... it is a satisfying volume: manageable, readable and liberal without being smug.' Times Higher Education 'Readers of these essays cannot fail to be stimulated by the insights brought by minds highly trained in religion, philosophy and military matters. They may also find themselves encouraged by the degree of consensus among these writers in repudiating the rhetoric of a "War on Terror" and all emergency measures that may infringe upon those values of freedom and personal responsibility which are challenged by the threatening onset of international terrorism. ' The Tablet 'Given the avalanche of accounts on the so-called Global War on Terror (GWOT) since September 2001 it might safely be assumed that all that could be said on the matter has now been related. Not so, as this first-class compendium of papers illustrates so well. ...The themes are wide ranging and studiously portrayed. ...Hugh Beach provides a masterful analysis of the US Field manual FM 3-24. Nick Ritchie provides an excellent overview of the threat of nuclear terrorism. ...This is the very best analysis of the AQ threat and our response to it yet published. It is thus essential reading for all with an academic or professional interest in the justice of this "war" and also the application of proportionality and discrimination in its conduct.' British Army Review 'This well-produced and readable collection of essays offers the fruit of a considered response to the "war on terror" by military historians and generals, and by Christian and Muslim theologians.' Church Times '... educated, challenged and occasionally bemused by this excellent collection to which I shall return again and again, and for which I am immensely grateful...' RUSI Journal