Ruth Margolies Beitler – författare

Terrorism cannot be treated as a monolithic threat. Moreover, as much as we may wish to focus on the terror tactics and terrorist means, we cannot overlook the ends. In fact, good policy can only be crafted with an understanding of the terrorist strategy; that is, how terrorists integrate their means to secure their goals, given their perception of the security environment. The groups covered in this book change and evolve. While their governments must take aggressive actions to secure their populations against attacks, those governments that recognize the real grievances can simultaneously take action that addresses those grievances. This two-pronged approach simultaneously bolsters state legitimacy across the ethnic and majority populations, while demonstrating state effectiveness regarding insecurity. The authors argue that the best way for states to win legitimacy vis-a-vis terrorists is by adhering to liberal democratic values, cooperating with other states, and applying prudent counterterrorist tactics.Inter-state cooperation, which affects domestic and foreign policies, requires some convergence of political cultures among those cooperating states. This book begins by analyzing five hotspot situations and their regional effects: the Basques in Spain, the ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, the Kurds in Turkey, the Chechens and Russia; and the Palestinians, Israel, and a future Palestinian state. These cases shed some light on how we should understand, characterize, and categorize terrorism, and they provide insights into the concepts of political legitimacy, liberal democracy, political culture, and political community. As the United States assesses its homeland defense posture, it must resist any temptation to weaken its liberal democratic values, and, as a superpower, it must encourage other states to adhere to liberal democratic values as well. Liberal democracy is a security imperative in today's global security environment.

This concise, content-rich volume provides an overview of women's roles in the Middle East and North Africa from the advent of Islam to the present.Recent research shows that women in the Middle East and North Africa have played much larger roles in society than previously acknowledged. Women's Roles in the Middle East and North Africa explores these roles from both historical and contemporary perspectives, describing and analyzing the lives of women in the regions from the advent of Islam through contemporary times.The book begins with an introduction that examines the pre-Islamic Middle East and North Africa. The balance of the chapters are organized thematically and provide detailed country studies for 19 nations. Chapters discuss work, law, religion, family, politics, and culture, exploring the changes women have undergone over a period of roughly 1,500 years.A chronology of women's roles in the Middle East and North Africa encompassing work, religion, family, law, politics, and culture from pre-Islamic to contemporary timesPhotographs illustrating various aspects of women's lives in the regionA selected bibliography including contemporary articles on new topics in women's researchA brief glossary of key terms such as abaya, sharia, and mahr

What incites an entire national group to violence? In The Path to Mass Rebellion Ruth Margolies Beitler investigates the form and structure of insurgent violence, taking the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as her case. Using historical, sociological, military, and policy data the author assembles a study of Israeli government action during the Six Day War and the First, and Second Intifadas that is unparalleled in its detail. Writing within the framework of carefully organized disciplinary knowledges Beitler produces a work that radically recontextualizes contemporary accounts of the conflict raging in the Middle East.

This addition to the Women and Society around the World series explores the roles, challenges, and accomplishments of women in the military in countries across the globe. Around the world, millions of men serve in their countries' militaries, be it on land, on the seas, or in the air. But while many militaries have opened all positions to women, even those on the front lines, others remain closed. Countries have cited a number of reasons for their policies, including changing views of women and the military, conscription, and economic and demographic trends. Written by a professor of comparative politics at the United States Military Academy at West Point and an active-duty Army major, this book seeks to provide an understanding of women's roles in militaries around the world. The book is organized by region, exploring societal and cultural views of masculinity and war, as well as factors influencing changing views of women and the military, including conscription and economic and demographic trends. Topics also include sexual harassment, recruitment, and views on women's physicality and strength. High school students, undergraduates, and general readers will find this cross-cultural study a fascinating and important resource.