America's Response to Terrorism

In a new book, The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism, RAND experts offer a distinctively farsighted perspective to the national dialogue on 9/11's legacy. Their insights assess the military, political, fiscal, social, cultural, psychological, and even moral implications of U.S. policymaking since 9/11.

Introduction: The Shadow of 9/11 Across America

by Brian Michael Jenkins and John Paul Godges, editors

Part One: Humbled by Hubris

1. The Costs of Overreaction by James Dobbins
2. A Long-Overdue Adaptation to the Afghan Environment by Arturo Munoz
3. Lessons from the Tribal Areas by Seth G. Jones
4. The Iraq War: Strategic Overreach by America—and also al Qaeda by Frederic Wehrey

Part Two: Hopeful amid Extreme Ideologies and Intense Fears

5. Where Are We in the "War of Ideas"? by Angel Rabasa
6. Al Qaeda's Propaganda: A Shifting Battlefield by Eric V. Larson
7. Have We Succumbed to Nuclear Terror? by Brian Michael Jenkins

Part Three: Torn Between Physical Battles and Moral Conflicts

8. Winning Every Battle but Losing the War Against Terrorists and Insurgents by Christopher Paul
9. The Strategic Dilemma of Terrorist Havens Calls for Their Isolation, Not Elimination by Kim Cragin
10. Our Own Behavior Can Be Our Weakest Link—or Our Strongest Weapon by Todd C. Helmus

Part Four: Driven by Unreasonable Demands

11. Don't Let Short-Term Urgency Undermine a Long-Term Security Strategy by Brian A. Jackson
12. Flight of Fancy? Air Passenger Security Since 9/11 by K. Jack Riley
13. The Intelligence of Counterterrorism by Gregory F. Treverton

Part Five: Inspired to Build a Stronger America

14. The Public Health System in the Wake of 9/11: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining by Jeanne S. Ringel and Jeffrey Wasserman
15. The Link Between National Security and Compensation for Terrorism Losses by Lloyd Dixon, Fred Kipperman, and Robert T. Reville
16. The Land of the Fearful, or the Home of the Brave? by Brian Michael Jenkins