Terrorism and Political Violence
Volume 24, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 320-336

Fluctuations between crime and terror: The case of Abu Sayyaf's kidnapping activities (Article)

O'Brien M.*
  • a Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, 3930 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States

Abstract

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Philippines is often labeled a terrorist organization, yet there are periods when the group has engaged in far more criminal activity than terrorism. Specifically, this article describes phases in which organized criminal activity far exceeds any terrorist activities before returning to a more predominant focus on terrorism. This study explores reasons for these temporal fluctuations in criminal versus terrorist activity from 1991 thru August 2011, identifying four categories of explanatory factors: leadership, structure, membership and grievances, and linkages to other actors. The study concludes by highlighting some implications for policy, research, and the future of ASG. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Transforming threats Abu Sayyaf Terrorism kidnapping Philippines

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84859310431&doi=10.1080%2f09546553.2011.648679&partnerID=40&md5=033cd16f3b137a349b3e5664d23d06d2
DOI: 10.1080/09546553.2011.648679
ISSN: 09546553
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English