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The Small World of 9/11 and the Implications for Network Dismantlement Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Virginie Masson

    (School of Economics, University of Adelaide)

  • Kelsey Wilkins

Abstract

We retraced the development of the network of those who participated in the 9/11 attacks through four stages: 1998-99, December 2000, May 2001 and August 2001. We established that throughout its development, the network had the characteristics of a small world. The implications of this result pointed towards an easily detectable but difficult to dismantle network due to its large clusters. We then assessed the performances of traditional measures of network strength and node centrality. We found that although betweenness surpasses all other measures for all stages, we could improve its performance. The new measure, termed the Jenga index, proved to perform best through all stages.

Suggested Citation

  • Virginie Masson & Kelsey Wilkins, 2013. "The Small World of 9/11 and the Implications for Network Dismantlement Strategies," School of Economics and Public Policy Working Papers 2013-08, University of Adelaide, School of Economics and Public Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:adl:wpaper:2013-08
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    File URL: https://media.adelaide.edu.au/economics/papers/doc/wp2013-08.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Terrill L. Frantz & Marcelo Cataldo & Kathleen M. Carley, 2009. "Robustness of centrality measures under uncertainty: Examining the role of network topology," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 303-328, December.
    2. Scott Helfstein & Dominick Wright, 2011. "Covert or Convenient? Evolution of Terror Attack Networks," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 55(5), pages 785-813, October.
    3. Kathleen M. Carley, 2006. "Destabilization of covert networks," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 51-66, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Terrorism; Counterterrorism; Social Network Analysis.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F52 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - National Security; Economic Nationalism
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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