Browsing by Subject "Violent non-state actors"

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Open Access
Fantastic walls and where to find them: a response to border fortification
(2024-09) Çavuşoğlu, Hatice Elif
Why do not all Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA) modify their strategies and tactics equally in response to border fortification? The global rise in border wall construction has been extensively studied in the context of affluent countries, while a significant gap in understanding the outcomes of this phenomenon in developing countries still exists. This study examines the effects of border fortification on transnational militancy. I argue that this relation is moderated by several intra- and extra-group dynamics. In this thesis, I devise a “theory of change” proposing that groups are only encouraged to shift in the long-term strategies when they fail to compensate for the loss delivered by fortification. VNSAs also find incentives in the reallocation of the existing resources and reduce the cost of their violent tactics by adopting more cost-effective approaches, driven by the setbacks caused by fortification. After employing logit models with interactions, my findings suggest that fortification, in combination with foreign support, increases the likelihood of civilian targeting and the use of irregular weapons by VNSAs. Yet, only groups that were able to operate “differently across attacks” before fortification demonstrate a tendency towards using irregular weapons. Additionally, I found evidence that the interaction between fortification and state violence encourages selective targeting by VNSAs.
Open Access
Understanding non-state actorhood: the case of the YPG
(2021-08) Lõhmus, Alice
Abstract: This thesis assesses the actorhood and agency of a violent non-state actor, the People’s Protection Unit (YPG), through Aydinli’s (2015, 2016) “Autonomy, Representation, Influence” (ARI) analytical and theoretical framework. The theory depicts the agency of this violent non-state actor (VNSA) via its aspects of “autonomy, representation and influence” between the 2014-2020 timeframe. This research shows how the YPG has transformed and continues to survive, despite threats to its actorhood from other VNSAs and states alike, while seeking to emphasize the increased autonomy, representation, and influence that the VNSA has had over the years. In doing so, it aims to also critique and provide suggestions to improve the ARI framework. This research also relies on supportive semi-structured interviews conducted with academicians, public officials, and politicians to analyze and gather insight on the YPG’s actorhood from experts on the field.