The War on Terrorism Five Years after 9/11

The horrific events of September 11, 2001, dramatically demonstrated the threat posed by suicide terrorism. With the precipitous rise of suicide attacks against democracies, particularly in the five years since 9/11, the time is right to reflect on the rationale and effectiveness of the tactic. Robert Pape, author of the seminal book Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism, will present the findings of his most recent research, "Suicide Terrorism and Democracy: What We've Learned Since 9/11." Pape’s conclusions, that suicide terrorism continues to follow a strategic logic, and that suicide attackers are primarily motivated by resistance to occupation by a foreign power, suggest that important changes should be made in U.S. strategy in the War on Terrorism. Pape's talk will be followed by a panel discussion including some of America's leading experts on terrorism, counter terrorism, and U.S. foreign policy.