Terrorists on Trial offers an unexpected—and productive—new perspective on terrorism trials, viewing them as a form of theater, in which the “show” that a trial offers can develop its own unexpected dynamics, aspects that occasionally inconvenience the prosecuting government and interfere with its aims. As a political construct, the crime of terrorism is an essentially contested act, and interpreting trials through this lens enables us to see their performative aspects more clearly than ever. With close analyses of trials in the United States, Spain, Russia, Germany, and the Netherlands, Terrorists on Trial breaks new ground for our understanding of a crucial contemporary problem.

Beatrice de Graaf holds a chair in history of international relations and global governance at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Alex P. Schmid held a chair in international relations at the University of St Andrews; currently he is a fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in the Hague.