Terrorism: Motivations, Strategy, and Messaging

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Much of what differentiates terrorism from other types of violent crime involves the perpetrators’ ideological motivations and objectives. As a result, the strategic significance of symbolic messaging—both violent and non-violent—is particularly important for understanding and responding to campaigns of terrorism. Each of the presentations in this panel focuses on a particular aspect of messaging in the context of terrorism, including social media communications, the link between ideology and behavior, and the adoption of particular targets and tactics.

Sub Unit

• Area V: Types of Offending / 28: State Crime, Political Crime, and Terrorism

Chair

• Erin Miller, University of Maryland

Individual Presentations

• The Deadliness of Terrorist Groups’ Twitter Usage and Popularity - Bo Jiang, University of Maryland

• Terrorist Ideology and Behavior: An Examination of the Behavior of Known Perpetrators - Rose Bellandi, University at Albany, SUNY

• Terrorist Targeting of Schools - Victor Asal, University at Albany, SUNY; Susan Fahey, Stockton University

• Investigating the Use of Sexual Violence by Terrorist Organizations - Erin Miller, University of Maryland