Terrorist network infiltration, asymmetric information, and quality uncertainty

Article

Phillips, Peter J.. 2011. "Terrorist network infiltration, asymmetric information, and quality uncertainty." Journal of Applied Security Research. 6 (3), pp. 339-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361610.2011.580263
Article Title

Terrorist network infiltration, asymmetric information, and quality uncertainty

ERA Journal ID20487
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorPhillips, Peter J.
Journal TitleJournal of Applied Security Research
Journal Citation6 (3), pp. 339-356
Number of Pages18
Year2011
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationLondon, United Kingdom
ISSN1936-1610
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/19361610.2011.580263
Abstract

From time to time, the press reports the disruption of a terrorist plot by means of government agents infiltrating a terrorist network. Terrorists believe they are dealing with co-conspirators only to find they have been dealing with government agents. The problem facing the terrorists is an asymmetric information problem which introduces quality uncertainty into the network of terrorist interactions—terrorists cannot be sure that their affiliates or co-conspirators are of high quality or low quality (that is, not co-conspirators at all but government agents). The economic theory of asymmetric information can be utilised to analyse the limits of the effectiveness of the injection of government agents into terrorist networks. Terrorist network infiltration is likely one of the most effective anti-terrorism security operations. Not only can network infiltration generate the results that capture the attention of the popular press but network infiltration can destroy terrorist networks into which no government agents have actually been injected. Governments and their security agencies are advised to consider the resources allocated towards this type of anti-terrorism security operation.

Keywordsterrorist; terrorism; terrorist network; asymmetric information; quality uncertainty; government agents
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350710. Organisational behaviour
380304. Microeconomic theory
440205. Criminological theories
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Accounting, Economics and Finance
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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