Stopping Suicide Attacks: Optimal Strategies and Unintended Consequences

Michael McBride () and Gary Richardson

No 16637, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Governments fighting terrorists have many tactical options, yet these options often yield unintended and counterproductive consequences. This paper models a terrorist organization, a religious group from which the terrorists recruit suicide bombers, and the society in which the terrorists are embedded. The model illuminates how the choice of anti-insurgent tactics influences the incidence of attacks, paying particular attention to the direct and indirect (unintended) consequences of the government's actions. The ultimate goal of this work is to identify the best way to stop terrorist attacks

JEL-codes: D02 D85 Z1 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-12
Note: POL
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published as Michael McBride & Gary Richardson, 2012. "Stopping Suicide Attacks: Optimal Strategies and Unintended Consequences," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 23(5), pages 413-429, October.

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Journal Article: Stopping Suicide Attacks: Optimal Strategies and Unintended Consequences (2012)
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