Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Terrorist Groups

摘要

This report documents a study undertaken to develop a methodology for analyzing terrorist groups. A conceptual framework for analysis was devised and was then used to test several hypotheses concerning terrorist groups and their actions. The study also resulted in the creation of an extensive database of information on 29 selected terrorist groups. The report describes an analytical framework developed at Rand for studying the characteristics of terrorist groups and illustrates how that framework can be used to address broad questions about terrorists and their actions. This conceptual framework is based on data concerning 150 specific attributes of terrorist groups. These attributes fall into the following categories: (1) Organization; (2) Leadership; (3) Demography; (4) Ideology, doctrine, and goals; (5) Psychology, mindset, and decisionmaking; (6) Funding and logistics; (7) Operations and modus operandi; (8) Communications; (9) External relations; (10) Environmental and government response.