Terror for Profit Receives Acclaimed Review in the Journal of Strategic Security
We're thrilled to announce that Martin Gallagher's groundbreaking book, Terror for Profit: A New Paradigm for Understanding Terrorism and Organized Crime, has received a compelling review in the prestigious Journal of Strategic Security.
A Fresh Perspective on Contemporary Terrorism
Dr. Colin Atkinson of the University of the West of Scotland reviewed the book, calling it "a provocative read" that offers the kind of "disruptive analysis" that the field of terrorism studies needs. According to Dr. Atkinson, Gallagher presents a bold and timely thesis: terrorism is entering a fifth wave—one characterized not by ideology, religion, or nationalism, but by profit.
This paradigm shift challenges conventional understanding and asks us to reconsider how we approach counterterrorism strategy and research.
What the Reviewer Says
Dr. Atkinson praises the book's accessibility and intellectual rigor, noting that it provides "an easily accessible introduction to the evolving relationship between terrorism and organized crime." He highlights that the work serves as "a compelling entry point for general readers into a complex and increasingly relevant area of study," making it valuable not only for academics but also for practitioners and policy makers.
The review particularly commends Gallagher's argument that understanding contemporary terrorism requires deeper analysis of individual terrorist motivations and the growing nexus between terrorism and organized crime—a connection that is often overlooked in traditional counterterrorism approaches.
Building on Established Theory
Drawing on David Rapoport's influential "four waves" theory of terrorism, Gallagher constructs a compelling case for recognizing profit as the defining characteristic of contemporary political violence. Through innovative use of nautical metaphors that honor Rapoport's wave framework, the book explores how economic incentives operate both visibly and beneath the surface of terrorist activity.
Why This Matters
This review in the Journal of Strategic Security validates KeyPoint Press's mission to publish works that challenge conventional thinking and advance critical conversations in security studies. Dr. Atkinson notes that while the book raises important questions about empirical depth—a common challenge in terrorism research—it "succeeds in opening further the conversation around terrorist motivations and operational dynamics."
The book's central argument that terrorism has increasingly become indistinguishable from organized crime, driven by individual gain rather than purely ideological motives, has significant implications for how we design counterterrorism policies and allocate resources.
Get Your Copy
Whether you're a security professional, academic, student, or simply interested in understanding the evolving threat landscape, Terror for Profit offers fresh insights into one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
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At KeyPoint Press, we're committed to publishing works that push boundaries and spark important conversations. Terror for Profit exemplifies this commitment, and we're honored to see it receive recognition from leading voices in the security studies community.
