HISTORY
As one component of a broader research initiative sponsored by the Department of Defense through the Minerva Research Initiative (2012-2015), the Militant Group Alliances and Rivalries Database serves as a source for further inquiry into the impact of violent non-state actor connections. Containing over 1000 groups spanning 45 years, the database is the result of collaborative research by professors Philip Potter (University of Virginia), and Michael Horowitz (University of Pennsylvania), and Erica Chenoweth (University of Denver).
INTRODUCTION
Violence perpetrated by non-state actors plagues societies in all parts of the world. In a time of increasing global connectivity, militant groups seek out relationships with each other and sponsors to pose even greater threats to global security. Such alliances often result in enhanced capabilities for the linked groups, leading to higher casualties when those groups engage in attacks. Understanding the roots and consequences of militant group alliances requires a comprehensive inquiry spanning both decades and continents.
UNIT OF ANALYSIS
The unit of analysis for this project is the relationship-year. Compared to simple dyads, the dyad-year allows researchers to understand the dynamics of a given relationship over time rather than assuming a static, unchanging connection. In this way it facilitates analyses into the evolution of non-state actor relationships.
UNIVERSE OF RELATIONSHIPS
This database includes only relationships between violent non-state actors and other entities. Consequently, relationships are included in the database when at least one actor in the dyad is a violent non-state group, but not when that group transitions to another type of organization, for instance, to become the governing body of a country.
SOURCES
The research draws on diverse sources ranging from historic newspapers, to scholarly articles, government documents, and other databases.