Terrorism and Insurgency

In the ever-changing landscape of global security challenges and sub-state conflicts, this course addresses the phenomena of terrorism and insurgency in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The course will enable you to gain advanced insights into the history of terrorism, from state-sponsored terrorism in the Cold War period and urban terrorists in Western Europe, to the emergence of radical Islamism in the form of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

You'll explore the dilemmas of preserving democratic liberties whilst developing counter-terrorism strategies and assessing the necessity and effectiveness of anti-terrorism legislation in the UK, US and beyond. 

You'll consider the wider political context and causes of radicalisation and terrorist violence, specifically analysing the geo-politics of the Middle East to appreciate the complex situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent, as well as Pakistan, Syria and Iraq.