Book Release: The Law of Counterterrorism Edited by Lynne K. Zusman

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2011 – As the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, the American Bar Association Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice has published The Law of Counterterrorism, a book that examines the recent pre-emptive measures that government agencies have taken to respond to transnational terrorism.

The book examines in detail the roles federal agencies play, the highly esoteric nature of counterterrorism law and the importance of adhering to the rule of law when engaged in counterterrorism.

Multiple authors examine several topics, including the war in Afghanistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda; the Department of Justice torture memo; the U.S. government’s philosophy of terrorism; war crimes jurisdiction; the 9/11 Commission; current and future national security principles; the National Security Act and intelligence community reform; the National Counterterrorism Center; the organization and structure of the intelligence community; the National Security Council system; communications surveillance; the USA PATRIOT Act; and more.

The 12 contributing authors approach their topics from a range of perspectives. New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly relies on the principles of the law while overseeing the efforts of more than 1,000 police officers assigned to counterterrorism duties. W. Hays Parks spent most of his career in the Marine Corps in such assignments as a legal advisor on terrorism-related military tactics; an investigator of war crimes committed when Iraq invaded Kuwait; a U.S. representative for law of war negotiations in New York, Geneva, The Hague and Vienna; and chair of the Department of Defense Law of War Working Group. Others among the book’s dozen authors are from such diverse backgrounds as lawyers in the federal government, teachers of law and congressional staffers.

According to Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, The Law of Counterterrorism is “a timely and valuable contribution. Decision-makers and legal professionals who are grappling with the complexities of international counterterrorism law will appreciate this important resource.”

Similar praise is echoed by Stephen L. Purcell, chief judge, Office of Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Department of Labor. “This book is an invaluable resource that should be on the desk of every legislator, congressional staffer, agency decision-maker, intelligence operative, law enforcement officer, and private or government attorney who has any responsibility for, or interest in, the war on terrorism,” he said.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

Title: The Law of Counterterrorism
Publisher: American Bar Association Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice
Pages: 320
Product Code: 5010069
ISBN: 978-1-61438-037-5
Size: 6 x 9
Binding: Paper
Price: $99.95; $79.95 for Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice members
Orders: Order the book at www.ababooks.org or call 1-800-285-2221

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Editor’s note: Copies are available by sending an e-mail to Cathy Kruse at Catherine.Kruse@americanbar.org.  If you publish a review of this book, please send tearsheets or a copy for our files to Cathy Kruse, c/o ABA Publishing, 321 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60654.