The Obama campaign focused on the future President's interest in political reconciliation. Has he succeeded in manifesting his campaign identity as a governing peacemaker? This question is examined through selected acts that illustrate his efforts to extend the olive branch; a discussion of...

How presidents articulate conflict resolution strategy and portray the enemy in anti-American terrorist attacks is examined through a content analysis of selected speeches delivered in the aftermath of events to show that rhetoric constitutes a strategic response to pressing political issues

Government officials are never eager to negotiate with terrorist groups. In practice, though, they often decide to do so after a long terrorist campaign threatens their national security. Sometimes negotiated agreement is the result. What causes this development? Conflict ripeness, turning...

Conflicts between terrorists and target governments are asymmetric situations of power, disputes over ethics and values, with emotional feelings of revenge existing on both sides. Bargaining theory predicts that parties fight to buildup strength and attempt to alter the relative balance of power...

Hijack terrorism was a major national security problem in the United States during the late 1960s; aerial piracy incidents reached an epidemic level. Most events had a common scenario: armed hijackers boarded flights in the US and threatened death to passengers and crew if the aircraft was not...

The practice of hostage-taking constitutes a form of instrumental terrorism. Terrorists seek to negotiate with authorities using hostages as bargaining chips to achieve their demands. Although many countries have firm policies against making deals with terrorists under the premise that...