The war on terror and accomplices: An exploratory study of individuals who provide material support to terrorists

Abstract

Between 2000 and 2007, 255 individuals comprising 59 groups were prosecuted in US federal courts for providing material support to known terrorist organizations, a violation of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. In collaboration with the American Terrorism Study, data were collected from federal court records on the prosecution of these individuals. Patterns in the data were observed and these offenders were categorized into four groups. Logistic regression models were used to compare these offenders with conventional, violent terrorists. Results show significant differences (in regards to both demographic and legal variables) between those offenders providing material support and those carrying out violent actions. Implications of the data and results are discussed.