Date
1-9-2024
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)
Chair
Robert Harris
Keywords
GWOT, counterterrorism, drones, organizational theory, AQAP, targeted killing
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Oeltjen, Isaac, "The Degradation Effects of Targeted Drone Killings Against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5143.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5143
Abstract
One of the most significant national security threats of the 21st century is international terrorism from groups associated with the Global Jihadist Movement (GJM). Since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, this threat has been confronted through various counterterrorism measures accompanying the Global War on Terror (GWOT). One of the most widely used and controversial counterterrorism tactics that has been implemented is the targeted killing of terrorist leaders and facilitators using unmanned aerial drones. Often occurring outside legitimate theaters of war, targeted drone killings are heralded as an effective way to degrade the operational capability of terrorist organizations with minimal risk to military personnel. However, while targeted drone killings have become more prevalent since 9/11, their use has outpaced research on the effectiveness of such a tactic. Therefore, through the lens of organizational theory, this study quantitatively analyzed the degradation effects of targeted drone strikes against terrorist leaders and facilitators, otherwise known as high-value targets. Specifically, degradation was measured by determining if there is a loss of professionalism or capability in subsequent attacks following the targeted drone killing of the leader or facilitator. While targeted drone killings have been conducted across multiple Middle Eastern theaters against several terrorist organizations, the focus of the current study is the terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is based in Yemen. Often considered the most active and dangerous Al-Qaeda affiliate, AQAP provides an effective case study to measure the effectiveness of targeted drone killings due to the group’s location in Yemen and its distinct hierarchical structure.
