Chasing Ghosts: The Policing of Terrorism 1st Edition

This is an incredibly well argued and well researched analysis of America's approach to policing terrorism. Readers of John Mueller's other books, including "Overblown," will find many of the arguments familiar but there is enough new material here to make it well worth reading.One of the most valuable contributions of this book is to make a fairly rigorous attempt at a cost-benefit analysis of America's expenditures on counterterrorism, including controversial programs like the NSA metadata collection program. This analysis is important because the issue isn't whether counterterrorism expenditures make us safer; rather, the issue is whether they make us sufficiently more safe to justify their cost. In one key chapter, for example, Mueller convincingly argues that our $100bn+ of annual spending on counterterrorism can only be justified under any conventional cost-benefit analysis if, absent those efforts, there would be approximately 300 attempts annually at a Boston Marathon-scale attack. Of course, clearly there are nowhere near enough would-be terrorists to provide such an almost daily onslaught of deadly plots.Which segues to another important contribution of this book: relentlessly and definitively debunking the idea that there is an invisible teeming horde of terrorists that ever-waiteth, ever-watcheth, ready to strike at any moment. Rather, Mueller offers many compelling reasons to believe that there simply aren't that many people out there with the proclivity to commit mass murder in the name of radical Islamist ideology, or any ideology for that matter.Finally, another achievement of this book is to debunk the myth of the terrorist "mastermind." For the most part, Islamic terrorists have proven to be a rather bumbling, incompetent, delusional, and ultimately ineffectual bunch--sometimes comically so. For example, one would-be jihadist--much-ballyhooed at the time of his arrest--planned to create a dirty bomb by obtaining uranium and turning himself into a human centrifuge by spinning it around in a bucket. In short, these folks ain't no Bond villains--including prominent terrorists like OBL or KSM.In short, Islamic terrorism is a problem, for sure; but the resources we devote to it are quite incommensurate with the scale of that problem. The fundamental truth that Mueller demonstrates so relentlessly throughout this book is that it is nearly impossible to significantly reduce an already-remote risk in a cost-effective manner.As an aside, I'll also note that Mueller's writing is quite entertaining and witty. His snarkiness may have the unintended effect of turning off people who aren't 100% receptive to his arguments, but I found it a remarkably readable book considering the subject matter.

Fantastic Chase --maybe one or none at all but Government will chase them all.

TO END ALL TERRORISMThe world is in mourning,because of terroristsattacks,But the world will fight back -and stop them in their tracks.I don't know what morbidpleasure they get - incausing so much hell,We should all live together,and in peace we all willdwell.All around is carnage -bodies are everywhere -All lives have been shattered -the terrorists don't care.Mass loss of life - and suchgreat pain, it is like hell-on-earth.Why can't the terrorists allrepent - and create a gloriousrebirth?Streets marked with bloodas bodies do lay still,The eerie silence engulfsthe air - like an evil chill.The sky is cloudy the sundisappears.The moon is also trembling -trying to hide its fears.I ask my God in heaven - whythis has to happen,I never gotan answer - perhaps it isforbidden.What has gone so badly wrong,and why all this hate?Can't we all live in peace -and love we can all create.Mankind is the enemy - but itneed not be this way,A magic of love and peace -we can all create today.Islamic States, please hearmy plea,Please stop all this killing -and I'll invite you all for tea!Killings solves nothing - itcreates more terrible hatred.Let us all pray together asprayer and peace is sacred.The world can all hold hands,and laugh, cry and sleep.Tomorrow is a whole newday - friendship we can keep.Please, let's stop all thiskilling - life is just too short.You could all come to BlackpoolTown - a fabulous seasideresort.All the world should live inpeace - and all the hatred bebanished.Even the night-time starsagree - their twinkling is tobe cherished.Oh, God, in heaven, we prayto you - to send us all somehope.Or, do we need to send youa letter - in a 'peace-sealed'envelope?Please end this misery, andall this heartache, and banishall terrorism for ever.And grant us all a specialwish - to live and lovetogether.One day in the future thekilling shall all cease.God made this possible -because the terrorists allsaid: 'PLEASE!'To end all this misery anderadicate all evil - and bringhappiness to all.Including all terrorism -and life will then enthrall.BYDARRYL ASHTON

Very interesting and informative. Worth the expense and time.

Thank God there are a few voices of reason, while the USA nowadays sounds its shrill "We are at war!" alarm bells of hysteria 24 hours a day. Did a trillion dollars dumped into Afghanistan do anything to curtail terrorism? Did a trillion dollars dumped into Iraq do anything to curtail terrorism? Will Americans listen to the alarmists and allow another trillion dollars to be wasted somewhere else, all because a typical American's chances of being harmed by a terrorist have risen from one in fifty million to one in ten million? Please wake up, sheeple!

Great, book turned up in time