Terrorism: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

by B. Raman

Terrorism is a threat, a modus operandi, and a phenomenon. A resolution of the UN General Assembly after 9/11 designated it as a threat to international peace and security. As a modus operandi, from a largely one-dimensional threat of the years before the Arab–Israeli war of 1967, it has evolved into a multidimensional threat. As a phenomenon, it has many dimensions—political, economic, ideological, and operational. Even the profile of a terrorist keeps changing. The terrorists of yesterday were seen as “misled youth” from the exploited or wronged sections of society. An increasing number of the terrorists of today are educated and come from well-to-do families. They are self-motivated and technology savvy. Their ability to add sophistication to their methods of operation surpasses the skill of the security agencies. This book seeks to contribute to the task of understanding terrorism as it is evolving.

344 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Bahukutumbi Raman(B. Raman) was an Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India and one-time head of the counter-terrorism division of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Until his death in 2013, he was the director of the Institute for Topical Studies, Chennai.



Having been one of the few surviving officers who were a witness to the creation of R&AW during 1968 by RN Kao, his analysis on Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and China have been an asset to the Intelligence community.

As a former intelligence official, B Raman regularly wrote about security, counter-terrorism and military issues regarding India and South Asia. He was a firm believer of Gandhi-Nehru rule, and had often proposed it as a solution to many of India's political uncertainties and socio-economic woes.


B Raman was also a contributor to the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG).