Pirates and Emperors, Old and New

International Terrorism in the Real World

This political study analyzes state violence and international terrorism, examining how powerful governments apply the term selectively to actions taken by enemies while excusing their own conduct. Drawing on an anecdote from Saint Augustine about a pirate and Alexander the Great, the author compares retail terrorism committed by rogue actors with wholesale terrorism conducted by sovereign military powers. The work focuses closely on United States foreign policy in the Middle East, media complicity, and geopolitical developments following September 11.

by Noam Chomsky

Pluto · First published 1986 · 233 pages