Targeting terrorist leaders a case study

• Main Author: Varden, James D.
• Other Authors: Freeman, Michael
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/5804

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. === Targeting terrorist leadership is a common strategy used by governments. The appeal of a quick strike with minimal casualties, combined with the possible swift defeat of the terrorist organization, makes it a very attractive approach. It is important to understand the circumstances under which targeting terrorist leaders will be effective, and the circumstances where such an attack will increase support for the terrorists. This thesis utilizes the Freeman Terrorist Leadership Targeting Model to analyze the effectiveness of Israel's campaign to target Hamas leaders from 1987--- 2007. Israel's campaign to target Hamas leaders produced mixed results. Hamas' political influence increased in spite of (and possibly in some degree because of) Israeli operations. However, targeting leadership deprived Hamas of key leaders and contributed to a declining frequency and effectiveness of Hamas suicide attacks.