The war on terror has been in effect since 2002, when United States troops first invaded Afghanistan. War efforts have expanded from military action to legislation such as the PATRIOT Act and domestic applications such as the federal wiretapping program. Supporters of these efforts claim that the United States must prepare for a new type of war in which the enemy attacks without warning and without regard for traditional rules of engagement. Critics contend that American foreign policy is actually harming, not helping, the United States, and that domestic programs threaten Americans' civil liberties. "The War on Terror, Second Edition" examines these issues in more depth with updated statistics, new legal opinions, and information about current legislation.

The war on terror has been in effect since 2002, when United States troops first invaded Afghanistan. War efforts have expanded from military action to legislation such as the PATRIOT Act and domestic applications such as the federal wiretapping program. Supporters of these efforts claim that the United States must prepare for a new type of war in which the enemy attacks without warning and without regard for traditional rules of engagement. Critics contend that American foreign policy is actually harming, not helping, the United States, and that domestic programs threaten Americans' civil liberties. "The War on Terror, Second Edition" examines these issues in more depth with updated statistics, new legal opinions, and information about current legislation.