How Culture Influences Terror Attacks

Annotated Bibliography and Outline

Annotated Bibliography

Ash, K. (2018). “The War Will Come to Your Street”: Explaining Geographic Variation in

Terrorism by Rebel Groups. International Interactions, 44(3), 411-436.

This article explores the geographic variation in terrorist attacks conducted by rebel groups. Ash analyzes data on terrorist attacks and examines the strategic considerations that influence where rebel groups choose to carry out attacks. The study finds that territorial control is a significant factor in determining the location of terrorist attacks. This source is highly relevant to my research question as it directly addresses the relationship between territorial control and the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks by insurgent groups.

Carter, D. B., Kaplan, M. L., & Schultz, K. A. (2022). The Geography of Separatist Violence.

International Studies Quarterly, 66(3), sqac030.

This article investigates the spatial patterns of separatist violence, providing insights into how territorial control influences the geographic distribution of attacks. The authors utilize a comprehensive dataset and employ spatial analysis to uncover trends and patterns in separatist violence. This source is pertinent to my research as it provides a specific focus on separatist violence, which is a form of insurgency, and its geographic distribution in relation to territorial control.

De la Calle, L., & Sánchez-Cuenca, I. (2015). How armed groups fight: Territorial control and

violent tactics. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 38(10), 795-813.

This article looks at the relationship between the territorial control of armed groups and their choice of violent tactics. The authors argue that groups with territorial control are more likely to engage in direct guerilla warfare, while those without it resort to terrorism, i.e., bombings. This source contributes to my research by providing a nuanced understanding of how territorial control influences not just the location, but also the nature of insurgent violence.

Elden, S. (2007). Terror and territory. Antipode, 39(5), 821-845.

Elden provides a theoretical exploration of the relationship between terrorism, territory, and space, or rather the “space of exception” concept. The paper discusses how terrorist groups absence of territorial integrity and sovereignty to their advantage in the geographic distribution of attacks. It shows, for instance, that when there is little sovereign power over a space, terror training camps are more likely to emerge. This source is valuable for my research as it offers a conceptual framework for understanding the spatial aspects of terrorism, which can support analysis of the relationship between territorial control and the distribution of insurgent attacks.

Findley, M. G., & Young, J. K. (2012). Terrorism and civil war: A spatial and temporal approach

to a conceptual problem. Perspectives on Politics, 10(2), 285-305.

Findley and Young address the conceptual challenges in distinguishing between terrorism and civil war, employing a spatial and temporal analysis to clarify these distinctions. The paper provides a nuanced understanding of how insurgent violence, including terrorist attacks, is distributed across time and space. They show that terrorism is likely to occur prior to civil war in Latin America, and following civil war in other parts of the world. This source is relevant to my research as it directly addresses the geographic distribution of insurgent violence and also gives a sense of how culture/place impacts the relationship between terrorism and war.

Medina, R. M., & Hepner, G. F. (2013). The geography of international terrorism: an

introduction to spaces and places of violent non-state groups. CRC Press.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the spatial aspects of international terrorism, discussing various non-state groups and their activities. The authors look at the geographic patterns of terrorist attacks and the strategic considerations behind them. This source is valuable for my research as it offers a broad perspective on the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks, providing context and background that can improve my understanding of the topic.

Salehyan, I. (2007). Transnational rebels: Neighboring states as sanctuary for rebel groups.

World Politics, 59(2), 217-242.

Salehyan discusses the phenomenon of transnational rebels, focusing on how insurgent groups use neighboring states as sanctuaries. The paper explores the implications of this for the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks and the strategies of insurgent groups. It shows that rebel groups often organize across borders to avoid repression—places like refugee camps, neighboring states, and external bases. This source is relevant to my research as it introduces an additional layer of complexity to the relationship between territorial control and the location of terrorist attacks, considering the role of neighboring states.

Sexton, R. (2016). Aid as a tool against insurgency: Evidence from contested and controlled

territory in Afghanistan. American Political Science Review, 110(4), 731-749.

Sexton explores the effectiveness of aid as a tool to counter insurgency in Afghanistan, differentiating between contested and controlled territories. The study shows that insurgents use violent means in response to counterinsurgency efforts by third parties—for example, US aid in Afghanistan. This source is relevant to the research as it provides insights into the strategies employed in conflict zones, particularly in relation to territorial control and the distribution of insurgent attacks.

Staniland, P. (2012). States, insurgents, and wartime political orders. Perspectives on politics,

10(2), 243-264.

Staniland examines the interactions between states and insurgent groups during wartime, focusing on how these interactions shape political orders. The paper discusses the role of territorial control in these dynamics, providing insights into the strategies of insurgent groups. It especially focuses on political-military arrangements and their meaning. This source contributes to the research by providing a broader political context for understanding the relationship between territorial control and insurgent strategies, including the distribution of attacks.

Tollefsen, A. F., & Buhaug, H. (2015). Insurgency and inaccessibility. International Studies

Review, 17(1), 6-25.

This article examines the relationship between insurgency and geographic inaccessibility, arguing that difficult terrain and inaccessible cultures can provide a strategic advantage for insurgent groups. The authors use spatial analysis to explore this relationship across different conflict zones. This source adds additional depth to the research by considering the role of geographic factors in the distribution of insurgent attacks, which is closely related to the concept of territorial control.

Outline

Developing a Theoretical Framework on Territorial Control and the Geographic Distribution of Terrorist Attacks

I. Introduction

1. Introduction to the topic, emphasizing the current gap in understanding the relationship between territorial control and the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks.

2. Statement of the primary research question: How can we develop a theoretical framework that better explains the relationship between the territorial control of insurgent groups and the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks in conflict zones?

3. Justification for the study, highlighting its potential contributions to academic discourse, policy-making, military strategy, and humanitarian efforts.

II. Literature Review and Critique

1. Summary of key findings from the annotated bibliography, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of existing theories and frameworks.

2. Identification of gaps and limitations in the current literature, emphasizing areas where a new theoretical framework is needed.

3. Discussion on how existing theories have addressed the relationship between territorial control, insurgent strategies, and the geographic distribution of terrorist attacks.