Why Terrorist Groups Form International Alliances

Today’s greatest terrorist threats from Al Qaeda to the Islamic State sit at the hub of alliances of other terrorist groups, cooperating whether through affiliation or less formal arrangements. Yet alliance-building among terrorist groups is neither new, it has been embraced by groups throughout history including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Red Army Faction, nor evenly distributed. In her new book, Why Terrorist Groups Form International Alliances, Tricia Bacon examines terrorist alliance building historically and in the present context and puts forward a new theory of when and why groups form alliances.

New America is pleased to welcome Tricia Bacon to discuss her new book Why Terrorist Groups Form International Alliances. Tricia Bacon, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at American University’s School of Public Affairs. She previously worked on counterterrorism for over ten years at the Department of State including in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the Bureau of Counterterrorism, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. She earned her PhD in International Relations at Georgetown University.

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Panelist:

Tricia Bacon, @tricbacon
Assistant Professor, American University
Author, Why Terrorist Groups Form International Alliances 

Moderator:

Peter Bergen, @peterbergencnn
Vice President, New America