Print Читать на русском
Rate this article
(votes: 2, rating: 5)
 (2 votes)
Share this article

On March 3, 2020, at 15:00, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a presentation of the book Leadership Decapitation: Strategic Targeting of Terrorist Organizations by Jenna Jordan, Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech.

As a specialist on international security and political violence, Jenna Jordan evaluates the effectiveness of a strategy of eliminating a terrorist group's leader.

On March 3, 2020, at 15:00, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a presentation of the book Leadership Decapitation: Strategic Targeting of Terrorist Organizations by Jenna Jordan, Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech.

As a specialist on international security and political violence, Jenna Jordan evaluates the effectiveness of a strategy of eliminating a terrorist group's leader.

One of the central pillars of US counterterrorism policy is that capturing or killing a terrorist group's leader is effective. Yet this pillar rests more on a foundation of faith than facts. In Leadership Decapitation, Jenna Jordan examines over a thousand instances of leadership targeting—involving groups such as Hamas, al Qaeda, Shining Path, and ISIS—to identify the successes, failures, and unintended consequences of this strategy.

Is this strategy effective, or are there more effective ones to combat international terrorism? What factors are decisive when choosing such a strategy? Do states need to continue to persecute leaders, or should they focus on other ways to combat international terrorism?

These and other issues was discussed at the presentation by Jenna Jordan.


Rate this article
(votes: 2, rating: 5)
 (2 votes)
Share this article

Poll conducted

  1. In your opinion, what are the US long-term goals for Russia?
    U.S. wants to establish partnership relations with Russia on condition that it meets the U.S. requirements  
     33 (31%)
    U.S. wants to deter Russia’s military and political activity  
     30 (28%)
    U.S. wants to dissolve Russia  
     24 (22%)
    U.S. wants to establish alliance relations with Russia under the US conditions to rival China  
     21 (19%)
For business
For researchers
For students