Exploring the multifaceted issue of maritime piracy, this book delves into its impact on global security and commerce. It highlights the various threats posed by piracy and discusses effective measures and policies aimed at mitigating these risks. Through a comprehensive analysis, the text provides insights into the ongoing challenges and responses to piracy in the modern world.
A global account of pirates and their modus operandi, from the Middle Ages to the present day
The Rise of Religious Violence in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand
Focusing on the rise of militant Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, the book examines the underlying reasons and mechanisms driving this phenomenon amidst the Rohingya crisis. It challenges the perception of Buddhist monks as peaceful figures by highlighting their involvement in inciting violence against perceived threats to the religion. By analyzing recent events in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, the author delves into the complexities of Theravada Buddhism's extremist strand and the influential role of monks in this unsettling trend.
This book critically examines the role of technology in counter-terrorism and the protection of vulnerable open societies, particularly in light of the threats posed by Al Qaeda and ISIS/Daesh. It begins by outlining the current and anticipated tactics and weapons these groups may employ, including chemical, biological, radiological, and potentially nuclear devices. The second section introduces existing and developing technologies aimed at enhancing safety and security against these threats, while also critically assessing the perceived advantages and disadvantages of such technologies, often marketed as a ‘silver bullet’ in the fight against terrorism. It highlights controversies, such as the misuse of millimeter wave scanners at Western European airports, which raise significant human rights concerns. The analytical third part delves deeper into the implications of deploying new surveillance and control technologies alongside the outsourcing and privatization of essential state services, warning that this could lead to dystopian outcomes reminiscent of 1980s cyberpunk literature. The book concludes by posing a crucial question for liberal democracies: how far should we go in fortifying our societies against terrorist threats?
Nová historie pirátství, od Vikingů po somálské nájezdníky. Dozvíte se o původu pirátství – jeho počátky sahají k době, kdy lidé poprvé začali využívat lodě. V současnosti je pirátství omezeno jen na některé lokality. Jsou popsány způsoby přepadávání lodí, přístavů nebo vesnic a měst na pobřeží. A jak se postupem času tyto strategie vyvíjely s příchodem nových technologií, politických spojenectví apod. Vyvrací se romantické představy o pirátech, které byly vytvořeny mnoha příběhy a hollywoodskými filmy. Nechybí ani portréty nejslavnějších pirátů. Pro přehlednost je kniha doplněna mapkami a kresbami lodí.