A Bipartite Network Analysis of Terrorism

• In Event: Terrorism and Violent Extremism

Abstract

This analysis explores the theoretical and methodological implications of employing a bipartite network approach to examine terrorist groups activities. Bipartite networks provide insight into nuanced connections between terror groups and other violent actors, geographic locations, modes of violence, target types, and other factors critical to terrorism dynamics. Despite reflecting key theoretical conditions established in the literature, social network analyses are uncommon in terrorist studies and bipartite approaches especially rare. After developing this approach we apply it to the analysis of terrorism in Nigeria. Nigeria is the economic powerhouse of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, it is unfortunately also home to a variety of terror groups whose violent attacks cause significant casualties, economic loss, and internal instability. Studies of terrorism in Nigeria focus almost exclusively on Boko Haram, and the actions of other groups receive little scholarly or media attention, which has contributed to an incomplete depiction of terrorism in Nigeria. We show that while Boko Haram is the dominant national terrorist group, network analyses capture substantial variation among Nigerian terrorist groups by state, target type and attack mode. In another critical theoretical approach with methodological implications, we include ‘unknown’ terrorist offenders, capturing patterns of attacks where the perpetrator does not claim responsibility and remains unidentified.

Bipartite network analyses provide powerful tools for understanding and exploring terrorism. In doing so, they can change and expand our previous understanding of violent behavior dynamics. This interdisciplinary study (Political Science, Sociology, Criminology) provides a tool kit for analyzing other country’s terrorist activities. Efforts to address terrorism by changing the narratives and processes, “Retrenchment, Renovation, & Reimagination,” require a full and complete understanding of both the empirical and theoretical dynamics driving the system of violence. Our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of terrorist networks in Nigeria that can help to guide future research in this area, inform counterterrorist policies, and provide a roadmap for improving the quality of life, governance, economy and democracy in Nigeria.

Authors

• Andrea Corradi, Georgia Southern University

• Diane Felmlee, Pennsylvania State University

• Scott Sigmund Gartner, Naval Postgraduate School