One purpose of this survey is to assess the role that research on terrorism and LIC can play both in countering current and likely future adversaries and in addressing existing and potentially new challenges. The second purpose is to provide a baseline assessment of how firm a foundation current research into these subjects has provided. The author argues that the need for policy-relevant research in terrorism and LIC is greater than ever before. Since United States security concerns and overseas interests in the coming decades are likely to be increasingly affected by a multiplicity of conflicts short of war throughout the globe, research is required to help identify the resources that will be required and the array of innovative, flexible policy responses that will be needed. Assistance is also required to help the United States define what those interests are and how they can best be served. 52 notes (Author abstract modified)