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“Shay discusses contending definitions
of abductions – ‘acts of war’ as opposed to ‘criminal
acts’ – the role of the state as target or instigator/perpetrator,
and the politics of terror abductions in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.
The author devotes considerable space to bargaining for the release
of abductees, to the intrusive role of Iran on behalf of Hezbollah
in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine, and, as he must, to the fate
of abductees, including the spate of decapitations from 2003 to
2005. This is, in sum, a well-researched, clearly argued, and useful
addition to the terrorism literature, particularly given the focus
on abductions as an instrument of Islamic terrorism. Though the
discussion is comprehensive, it might have helped to place the
data and analysis against the larger background of terror kidnappings
elsewhere in the world. The world of political terror abductions
keeps growing, and this book is an excellent introduction. Highly
recommended.” Choice
“Shaul Shay brings his experience as a senior research fellow
at the International Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism to
the components of abduc¬tions….He focuses on Iran, giving
a chronology of its involvement with terrorist forces. Iran supports
the development of terrorists’ organiza¬tions with financial,
political and military aid. Shay’s investigation reveals
the historical commitment Iran has to terrorist organizations.
In 1991, the “Conference for the Support of the Palestinian
Jihad” was hosted in Teheran, and attended by representatives
of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hizballa. These organizations
aligned themselves in opposition to the peace process with Israel.
This book is complete with specific details on abductions that
strive to give the process a human face…. What is clear is
that complex terrorist abductions have become a threat to world
peace. Tensions can be linked to terrorist abductions and stretch
across borders and into homes beyond the Middle East. People remain
missing to this day.” Digest of Middle East Studies
This book investigates abductions,
hostage taking, beheadings, and global jihad influences in four
theatres
in the Middle East over
the last 25 years (1980–2005): Israel (as a part of the
Israeli–Palestinian conflict), Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
It includes discussion of the William Buckley, William Higgins
and “Irangate” abductions. The “Nachshon Waxman” affair – the
Israeli soldier abducted and murdered by HAMAS in 1994 – is
presented as a case study in understanding the four major phases
of an abduction – preparation and planning; carrying out
the abduction; negotiations; and the rescue attempt.
Terrorist organizations use abduction as a
tool for promotion of their and their patrons’ interests. Examination of Middle
East abductions, and the relations/correlations between Islamic
terrorist organizations and Iran, demonstrates Iran’s role
as a terror supporting state, and the promotion of Iranian interests
by its terrorist surrogates.
The research examines the challenge posed by terrorist organizations
for countries whose citizens have been abducted and the answers
to that challenge, and provides theoretical classifications of
the terror phenomenon in general and abductions/ beheadings in
particular.
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List of Contents to follow |
Publication Details
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ISBN: |
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9781845191672 h/b |
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Page Extent / Format: |
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240 pp. / 229 x 152 mm |
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Release Date: |
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January 2007 |
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Illustrated: |
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No |
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Hardback Price: |
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£55.00 / $67.50 |
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