Cragin and Daly, international policy analysts at RAND Corporation, examine women's roles as operatives, logisticians, couriers, strategic thinkers, recruiters, and symbols in diverse political, religious, and ethno-separatist terrorist organizations around the world, in countries including Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, Colombia, South Africa, and Northern Ireland. They explore why women become involved in terrorist groups, how terrorist leaders turn the societal attributes of women to advantage in designing terrorist campaigns, and how women fight for the right to assume strategic and combat roles within terrorist groups. The book concludes with a review and projection of trends, paying particular attention to al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)