Despite occupying a central role and frequently being used in the study of international politics, the concept of the "event" remains in many ways unchallenged and unexplored. By combining the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and his concept of the event with the example of "9/11" this book problematises the role and meaning of "events" in international politics.

Tom Lundborg is a research fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Sweden.

1. Introduction: the historical event and the pure event 2. Something abstract yet real: paradoxes and movements of the pure event 3. Returning, rebuilding, reimagining: actualization and counter-actualization 4. The becoming of 9/11 5. The politics of folding 6. Another politics of the event 7. Conclusion: within and beyond the limits of the historical event