Transnational ethnic diasporas and the survival of terrorist organizations

What effects do transnational ethnic diaspora communities have on the terrorist organizations with which they are linked? Are diaspora-linked terrorist movements more resilient and longer lived? What types of diaspora support affect terrorist survival? Finally, do diasporas affect peaceful resolutions of terrorist campaigns? Using data on 586 terrorist movements during the period 1970-2007, this study finds that movements linked to transnational ethnic diasporas are more resilient. They are significantly less likely to end, particularly through counterterrorism force, and this seems to be a product of diaspora provision of material support rather than diaspora political and propaganda efforts. Finally, diasporas seem to have a negative impact on political resolution of terrorist campaigns, as diaspora-linked terrorist movements are also significantly less likely to end by entering into a political process.