The Journal of Public and International Affairs
Published since 1886 by the Academy of Political Science
Archive Search
Advanced Options
pp. 19-36
The Soft Underbelly of American Primacy: Tactical Advantages of Terror
RICHARD BETTS argues that the September 11 attacks were a response to American primacy and then applies offense-defense theory to explain the intense advantages that terrorist groups have in launching offensive strikes and in exploiting the defenses that a nation can put up in this era of globalization and asymmetric warfare.
From Cold War to Hot Peace: The Habit of American Force, Richard K. Betts
Two Faces of Intelligence Failure: September 11 and Iraq’s Missing WMD, Richard K. Betts
Politics and Force Levels: The Strategic Missile Program of the Kennedy Administration, Desmond Ball Reviewed by Richard K. Betts
Doubletalk: The Story of the First Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Gerard Smith Reviewed by Richard K. Betts
more by this authorJoin the Academy of Political Science and automatically receive Political Science Quarterly.
Environmental Opportunities
May 8, 2025
7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. ET
WEBINAR
Jimmy Carter's Legacy
Jimmy Carter's Public Policy Ex-Presidency
John Whiteclay Chambers II
Publishing since 1886, PSQ is the most widely read and accessible scholarly journal with distinguished contributors such as: Lisa Anderson, Robert A. Dahl, Samuel P. Huntington, Robert Jervis, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Theda Skocpol, Woodrow Wilson
view additional issuesArticles | Book reviews
 |
POLITICAL CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS |
The Academy of Political Science, promotes objective, scholarly analyses of political, social, and economic issues. Through its conferences and publications APS provides analysis and insight into both domestic and foreign policy issues.
With neither an ideological nor a partisan bias, PSQ looks at facts and analyzes data objectively to help readers understand what is really going on in national and world affairs.
