Global Jihad

"Glenn Robinson makes a signal contribution to our understanding of the history and the essence of global jihad. This concise book delivers much more than its modest title promises, and renders comprehensible the causes of global jihad since the 1980s."—Robert Springborg, Naval Postgraduate School

"Glenn Robinson has produced a masterful book that is incisive, insightful, and comprehensive—a tour de force on the evolution of jihadism. For anyone interested in better understanding the contemporary politics of the Middle East and Islam, Global Jihad is essential reading."—Mehran Kamrava, author of Inside the Arab State

"Glenn Robinson brilliantly dissects the religious ideology underpinning jihadist movements, as well as the social factors that draw young Muslims to them. With Global Jihad, he outlines what attracts young people to the nihilistic violence of 'movements of rage,' all framed in a story bigger than themselves."—Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington

"If you have been searching for an accessible introduction to jihadism, look no further. In Global Jihad: A Brief History, Glenn Robinson masterfully summarizes five decades of jihadi history with the insight and accuracy that only a veteran scholar with deep area knowledge can provide. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand 9/11, ISIS, and the future of militant Islamism."—Thomas Hegghammer, author of The Caravan: Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad

"Global Jihad is provocative, informative, and beautifully written. Robinson provides a superb analysis of global jihad's leadership, violence, goals, and support from the 1980s to 2020. An essential guide for policymakers, soldiers, diplomats, and anyone seeking to understand and deal with radical and extremist Islam."—Jack A. Goldstone, George Mason University

"Robinson provides a synthetic and remarkably comprehensive account of the evolution of political jihad since it came to global prominence in the 1980s. He sketches four waves of jihadi activity: the international call to expel the Soviets from Afghanistan during the 1980s, the anti-American focus of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, the rejection by the so-called Islamic State (or isis) of the international system, and the proliferation of "lone wolf" actions fueled by radicalization on the Internet. Robinson provides both an accessible history and a provocative analysis of one of the most important political movements in the world over the last half century."—Foreign Affairs

"Robinson's narrative is clear and concise, and it is not overburdened by unnecessary bibliography. His book is a real contribution to scholarship and public discourse; ideally, it should be read both inside and outside of academia."—Ilan Fuchs, The Edge

"This work will be most helpful for those wishing to understand the differences between major Islamist terror groups and why they focus on different targets...Recommended."—C. J. Wright, CHOICE

"Global Jihad is a great read and a tremendous resource that experts, generalists, and students will all find valuable. It deserves to be a landmark text in the fields of terrorism studies, global conflict, and religious studies."—Joseph Stieb, H-War