Confronting Global Terrorism: The Framework of a Liberal Grand Strategy

Confronting Global Terrorism and American Neo-Conservatism brings together and subjects to critical scrutiny the core controversies connected to the so-called "War on Terror" such as: When is it legitimate and prudent to use force? Is torture ever justified? Do we need to suspend human rights in order to fight terrorism? Is multi-culturalism the answer to communal conflict? Are terrorists responding to concrete U.S. policies or do they simply wish to destroy Western societies?

In it, the author argues that liberal intellectuals and political leaders have been slow to articulate a grand strategy informed by liberal values for confronting the issues surrounding global terrorism. The book outlines the framework of a liberal strategy, and exposes the costs of the neo-conservative alternative that has driven US foreign policy since 9/11.

Dean Farer is a leading scholar in the fields of international law, international relations and human rights. He has been an official in the United States Government's Department of State and Defense, the President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Vice-President of the International League for Human Rights, a Wall Street Lawyer, and legal advisor to the head of the UN's 1993 mission in Somalia.

1. Introduction: Liberalism, Human Rights, Terrorism and Neo-Conservatism

Liberalism

Human Rights

Terrorism and Terrorists

Neo-Conservatism

2. Legal and Legitimate Use of Force: In the Struggle Against Global Terrorism Is the UN Charter Quaint?

The Original Understanding

The New Global Context and the Call for Loosened Restraints on the Use of Force

The UN's Restatement of its Norms

The Liberal Case for Conserving Normative Restraint

3. Cruelty and the National Interest: The Question of Legitimate Means

Standards and the Post 9/11 Setting

Deconstructing the Laws of War

Liberal Values and the Temptation to Torture

The Latin Americanization of the War on Terrorism

4. Terrorism, Communalism and Democracy: The Limits of Tolerance

Civic Communities and Communities of Blood and Faith

Communalism and Liberalism

Reconciling Liberal Government and Minority Claims: General Principles and Human Rights Norms

Liberal Values and Minority Claims: Toward Practical Accommodation

Then . . . What Is to be Done?

5. The iconic Conflict Between Israelis and Palestinians: The Normative Parameters of a Settlement

The Legal Parameters of a Just Settlement

The Problematics of Borders

The Question of Forfeiture

Israel and the Occupied Territories in Light of Human Rights Law and the Law of War

A Legal Right in Search of a Remedy

Conclusion: The South African Analogy

6. The Framework of a Liberal Grand Strategy

Ideas and Actions

Toward a Liberal Grand Strategy of Containment