The Terrorism Trap · September 11 and Beyond

Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-110);1. Terrorism meets reactionism -- 2. The September 11 imperative -- 3. Why did it happen? -- 4. Afghanistan : the untold story -- 5. Why US leaders intervene everywhere -- 6. Epilogue : What is to be undone? -- Notes;This book analyses the deeper causes and meaning of September 11. The author 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 long-standing religious tradition of violence as well as being a reaction to a US-led globalization process that has impoverished and angered much of the world. This book helps us understand what the author feels that is needed to save democracy from terrorism and reactionism

1. Terrorism meets reactionism -- 2. The September 11 imperative -- 3. Why did it happen? -- 4. Afghanistan : the untold story -- 5. Why US leaders intervene everywhere -- 6. Epilogue : What is to be undone? -- Notes

*The Terrorism Trap* is a powerfully argued analysis of the deeper causes and meaning of September 11. Why did the attacks happen? Who is to blame? Who is taking advantage of the crisis? Who is hurt by all the ensuing events? Why do they hate us? Responding to such questions, Michael Parenti probes the religious zealotry of today, Afghanistan's hidden history, and the course of US-led globalization that has impoverished and angered much of the world. This acute dissection of the political, economic, and religious forces behind the attacks provides historical perspective and insight into how to prevent future terrorism and save democracy.

". . . it is a thorough explanations of [Parenti's] views on the political and economic tangle that has linked US business interest to the kind of animosity that fuels terrorist attacks; an interest that, rather than being squelched or even crippled, has exploited the weaknesses of a national and global economy severely shocked by the attacks." —Corey O'Malley, *Friction Magazine*

"It should be required reading for anyone who believes in a true democracy rather than a corporate state and/or a security state. Parenti emphasizes the need for a change in U.S. policy as it relates to the world free market, which has become a metaphor for the obscene differences in income for “the haves and have nots.” Driven by a love of democracy and a passion for the truth, Parenti strips naked the secretive machinations of the U.S. government leaders that give little regard to people throughout the world." —Alex Vavoulis, *Community Alliance*.

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 *History as Mystery* , *America Besieged* , *Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism* , *Dirty Truths* , and *Against Empire* , all of which have been published by City Lights.

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.