Download
Download eBook for Free
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 2 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Purchase
Purchase Print Copy
| Format | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add to Cart | Paperback49 pages | $20.00 | $16.00 20% Web Discount |
A review of the 48 assaults made on embassies by terrorists and other militants between 1971 and 1980. The report discusses the origins of the embassy seizures as a terrorist tactic, the kinds of terrorists who assault embassies, the geographical and temporal distribution of assaults, the demands made by hostage-takers, and the degree of success they achieve. An annotated chronology of embassy seizures is appended. Except for the publicity they produce, embassy assaults appear to be a losing proposition for terrorists. Security has been increased at the embassies of the countries most frequently targeted for terrorist attacks, and this appears to have deterred takeovers of these embassies. However, terrorists have turned to less-well-guarded diplomatic posts in several instances, and more takeover attempts are likely to occur. Governments will probably remain resistant to terrorist demands, leading to longer sieges, more of which may be ended by force.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Report series. The report was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 1993 that represented the principal publication documenting and transmitting RAND's major research findings and final research.
This research in the public interest was supported by RAND, using discretionary funds made possible by the generosity of RAND's donors, the fees earned on client-funded research, and independent research and development (IR&D) funds provided by the Department of Defense.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.