Book excerpt: This edited volume, re-issued under the Marshall Cavendish Academic imprint, seeks to explore how the phenomenon of terrorism has transformed from the Cold War to the post- Cold War period. The end of the East-West confrontation created the conditions for terrorist and guerrilla groups to operate globally, advancing their aims and objectives. By operating worldwide, they accessed new ideas, resources, and fresh opportunities. In addition to accumulating political influence and economic resources, they acquired specialized and dual technologies, and learned tactics and techniques from both the East and West. During this period, many rag-tag groups evolved into sophisticated groups. Benefiting from the rapidly changing environment, the phenomenon of terrorism transformed regionally and functionally.