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.

"Farer's deep understanding of international law and politics suffuses this important book as does his rich appreciation of the philosophical underpinnings of a liberal international order. He dissects the core assumptions of the neo-conservative agenda and forthrightly identifies the liberal values that have guided American Presidents since FDR as they defined America's global role. The next President has a window of opportunity to restore that unique bipartisan heritage which combines American interest, power, and values and secures American legitimacy. Farer's book is an important contribution if we are to seize the opportunity to revive the moral basis of American power in the emerging multi-polar world." --Harry Kreisler, Executive Director Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley and Host and Executive Producer of Conversations with History

"This is a timely and important book, not only for those interested on policy matters but also for those eager to achieve a more humane world." --Guillermo O'Donnell, Helen Kellogg Professor of Government, University of Notre Dame

"Tom Farer's book is a pleasure to read, both for the specialist and for the lay person. First of all, it is extremely well written, eloquent in a way few texts nowadays are. Farer's language is very rich without being archaic, serious but replete with healthy irony: it inspires envy of everyone who writes on similar topics."

--Vojin Dimitrijevic, Professor of International Law and Member, Permanent Court of International Arbitration

"Tom Farer weaves together into a coherent picture the most urgent issues of early-21st century world affairs. He warns that it is not only the 'War on terrorism' threatening us, but our own foreign policies which have gradually departed from - and have now begun to undermine - the very humanistic liberal ideals that the US and, indeed, the West as a whole have stood for. Since it is written with masterful lucidity, this book will uniquely serve not only the IR specialist, the International Lawyer, and the student, but also the general public as well. It deftly guides the reader through the confusing maze of both the practice of foreign policies as well as theories about them."

--Dr. Vendulka Kubalkova, Professor of International Studies, University of Miami

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