The Terrorism Trap

A penetrating analysis of the hidden political, economic, and religious agendas behind the September 11 attacks and the war, with an emphasis on Afghanistan's history and the U.S.-led globalization process that has impoverished and angered much of the world. The Terrorism Trap is a richly informed, powerfully argued, well-written analysis of the deeper causes and meaning of September 11. Michael Parenti dissects the religious, political, and economic forces behind the attacks, putting them in proper historical perspective, which includes an understanding of Afghanistan's hidden history. He answers such questions as: Why did September 11 happen? Who is to be blamed? Who is taking advantage of the crisis? Who is hurt by all the ensuing events? And why do they hate us? He sees the religious terrorism of today as related to a longstanding religious tradition of violence as well as being a reaction to a U.S.-led globalization process that has impoverished and angered much of the world. This book helps us understand what is to be done to save democracy from terrorism and reactionism. Michael Parenti is one of the nation's most astute political analysts. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Yale University in 1962 and has taught at a number of colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. He frequently appears on radio and television talk shows and lectures on college campuses and before community, church, and public interest groups to discuss current issues and ideas. His books are read by both lay readers and scholars, and are used extensively in college courses. He is the author of many books including To Kill a Nation (Verso, 2001), History as Mystery (City Lights Books, 1999), Democracy for the Few (St. Martin's; seventh edition 2001), America Besieged (City Lights Books, 1998), Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism (City Lights Books, 1997), Dirty Truths (City Lights Books, 1996), Against Empire (City Lights Books, 1995), Land of Idols: Political Mythology in America (St. Martin's, 1994), Inventing Reality: The Politics of News Media (St. Martin's; 2nd ed. 1993), Make-Believe Media: The Politics of Entertainment (St. Martin's, 1992), The Sword and the Dollar: Imperialism, Revolution, and the Arms Race (St. Martin's, 1989), Power and the Powerless (St. Martin's, 1978. ) His work has been published in CovertAction Quarterly; Monthly Review; New Political Science; Nature; Z Magazine; Dollars and Sense; The Humanist; The Nation; Journal of Politics; American Political Science Review; The New York Times; Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere.