A theory of terrorist leadership (and its consequences for leadership targeting)
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Authors
Freeman, Michael
Subjects
Algeria
al-Qaeda
Aum Shinrikyo
bin Laden
Decapitation
Leadership targeting
Shining Path
Terrorism
al-Qaeda
Aum Shinrikyo
bin Laden
Decapitation
Leadership targeting
Shining Path
Terrorism
Advisors
Date of Issue
2014
Date
Publisher
Routledge
Language
Abstract
States often target terrorist leaders with the belief that the leader’s death or capture will cause the terrorist organization to collapse. Yet the history of this strategy of “leadership targeting” provides a mixed record-for every example of effectiveness, there are similar examples of ineffectiveness. The central question of this article is: what makes a terrorist leader important? Specifically, what does a terrorist leader do that no one else can do (or do as well) for the organization? To answer this question, I develop a theory of terrorist leadership that argues that leaders might potentially perform two main functions: they can provide inspiration
and/or operational direction (or not for both). I also theorize as to how and why the provision of these functions changes over time as the organization itself changes. The consequences for leadership targeting flow naturally from this theory-when leaders provide these functions to the organization, leadership targeting is most likely to be effective. Case studies of Algeria, Peru, and Japan offer insights into why some cases of leadership targeting were effective and why others were not. The conclusion extends this model with an analysis of al-Qaeda’s prospects after the death of bin Laden.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2012.751912
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
22 p.
Citation
Michael Freeman , Terrorism and Political Violence (2014): A Theory of Terrorist Leadership (and its Consequences for Leadership Targeting), Terrorism and Political Violence, DOI: 10.1080/09546553.2012.751912 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2012.751912
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.