Effectively diffusing terrorism : how successful have U.S. policies been in combating
      and detering al-Qaeda post-9/11?

Syed, Nerman Ahbid.

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and detering al-Qaeda post-9/11?

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Syed, Nerman Ahbid.

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Thesis (M.A.L.S.)--Georgetown University, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references.; Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. This thesis will analyze the effectiveness of U.S. policies to combat and deter terrorism prior to September 11, 2001, and policies and procedures implemented following the terrorist attacks of that day (also referred to as "9-11"). The policies considered in this study were products from agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Terrorism Commission, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the White House (captured in Congressional Reports).; The terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center and Pentagon provide the focal point for this thesis, as these attacks initiated fundamental changes to U.S. policy toward terrorism and terrorist organizations. In order to understand the effectiveness of the policy changes, it is important to understand the motivation behind terrorist acts and the evolution of terrorism. This study will assess whether policies pre and post 9/11 were effective in deterring or combating terrorism. The study will also identify how the U.S. policies pertaining to terrorism have evolved from an investigative policing approach in the past (deterrence), to a militant approach (combative) in response to a heightened threat from terrorists organizations such as Al Qaeda.; In conclusion this thesis will take into account the information and case studies evaluated throughout the paper, and provide metrics that evaluate the total number of attacks, casualties that were killed and injured, and proximity of the attacks pre and post 9/11 to recommend that an approach to successfully combat and deter terrorist actions and threats must include a matrix of both deterrence and combative strategies.