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Allying to Kill

Author

Listed:
  • Michael C. Horowitz

    (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA)

  • Philip B. K. Potter

    (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA)

Abstract

Terrorist organizations do not operate in isolation. Instead, they forge alliances with one another, which generate a tight network of intergroup relationships. We argue that these relationships serve to increase group capacity, manifesting itself in the ability of a group to conduct deadly attacks. However, groups are notably judicious when they forge these cooperative ties, preferring to link to the strongest groups to which they have access. The result of this process of preferential attachment is a core/periphery structure in the broader network of alliances. Moreover, groups with ties to organizations at the core of the broader universe of relationships reap more rewards than those with large numbers of less meaningful alliances. Terrorism research and counterterrorism policy should assess terrorist organizations in the broader context of their interrelationships and depth of alliances rather than in isolation.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael C. Horowitz & Philip B. K. Potter, 2014. "Allying to Kill," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 58(2), pages 199-225, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:58:y:2014:i:2:p:199-225
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Aditya Bhan & Tarun Kabiraj, 2020. "Terrorist Inter-Group Cooperation and Terror Activity," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 29(6), pages 1085-1106, December.
    2. Megan Farrell, 2020. "The logic of transnational outbidding: Pledging allegiance and the escalation of violence," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 57(3), pages 437-451, May.
    3. Fuad Aleskerov & Irina Gavrilenkova & Sergey Shvydun & Vyacheslav Yakuba, 2020. "Power Distribution in the Networks of Terrorist Groups: 2001–2018," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 399-424, June.
    4. Seden Akcinaroglu & Efe Tokdemir, 2018. "To instill fear or love: Terrorist groups and the strategy of building reputation," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 35(4), pages 355-377, July.
    5. Susan Olzak, 2022. "The Impact of Ideological Ambiguity on Terrorist Organizations," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 66(4-5), pages 836-866, May.
    6. Subhayu Bandyopadhyay & Todd Sandler, 2022. "Effects of Defensive and Proactive Measures on Competition Between Terrorist Groups," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 66(10), pages 1797-1825, November.
    7. Victor Asal & Aaron M. Hoffman, 2016. "Media effects: Do terrorist organizations launch foreign attacks in response to levels of press freedom or press attention?," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 33(4), pages 381-399, September.
    8. Jori Breslawski & Brandon Ives, 2019. "Killing for God? Factional Violence on the Transnational Stage," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 63(3), pages 617-643, March.
    9. Bhan, Aditya & Kabiraj, Tarun, 2020. "Terrorist Inter-Group Cooperation and Terror Activity," MPRA Paper 98484, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Gaibulloev, Khusrav & Hou, Dongfang & Sandler, Todd, 2020. "How do the factors determining terrorist groups’ longevity differ from those affecting their success?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

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