Understanding Suicide Terrorism

by Radhika Halder (Author)

Understanding Suicide Terrorism aims to explore the different aspects involved in suicide terrorism for a better understanding of the tactic which has become a global phenomenon and threat today. The book aims to help inform holistic policy making by tracing the evolution of the use of suicide as a weapon in conflict and the emergence of modern-day suicide terrorism. The book uses case studies of prominent terror outfits to have used the tactic rather confidently and consistently and suggests that suicide terrorism must be understood as the interplay of three vital components—the individual committing the act, the organization employing the tactic and, the state environment contributing to the culture of suicide terrorism. Subsequently, a purely weapons-based approach to counter terrorism cannot be relied upon to solve a threat such as suicide terrorism which is so deeply ingrained in ideology and symbolism. The book comes at a time when suicide terrorism has been one of the most potent and effective tools for individuals and entities to achieve what they perceive as goals and shall inevitably remain a challenge for policy makers and security establishments to deal with.

About the Author
Radhika Halder is a researcher of International Relations, and her areas of interest include global terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism as well as regional security and politics in South Asia. At present, she is based in Kathmandu, Nepal where she works with Niti Foundation, a public-policy driven organisation responsible for supporting analysis, guidance, and recommendations widely available to policy-makers implementing federalism in Nepal