Accession Number:

ADA413418

Title:

Understanding the Dynamic System of Terrorist-Government Interaction

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

Personal Author(s):

• Hanrahan, John A.

Report Date:

2003-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

186.0

Abstract:

The nature of action and reaction that forms the basis for terrorist - government interactions creates a dynamic system. Understanding how this dynamic system behaves in response to key government activities can help the government better control the overall behavior of the system. The system dynamics methodology is one tool that can help the government solve specific behavioral problems within the overall system. This research shows the ability of system dynamics to help develop government policy towards terrorism that can directly affect a terrorists behavior. It supports a government policy of offensive action instead of defensive reaction. It also identifies the primary variables and parameters of the overall system at an aggregated level. This research effort is the genesis of a future research stream capable of helping the government manages their terrorism policy. The last chapter of this study suggests additional steps in this line of research to develop a tool that can help the government control the dynamic system of terrorist-government interactions.

Descriptors:

• *POLICIES
• *RESPONSE
• *TERRORISM
• TERRORISTS
• CONTROL
• UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• INTERACTIONS
• DYNAMICS
• THESES
• SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
• BEHAVIOR

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE