Casting Shadow: Founders and the Unique Challenges of a Terrorist Group’s First Leadership Change

The first transfer of power presents unique challenges to terrorist groups. Four challenges of succession are more manifest the first time a terrorist group undergoes transition: first, a lack of precedent creates greater uncertainty about the group’s ability to survive leadership change; second, where the new leader replaces a mythical founder, there is an inevitable negative comparison to the predecessor; third, the successor must prevent infighting and splintering that results when the glue that held the group together is lost; and fourth, a first successor often has to shift the source of organizational authority from charismatic leadership to a rational-bureaucratic model. This article argues that the shadow of the departing leader and his actions in preparation for power transition affect the magnitude of the challenges his successor faces. Three case studies—al-Qaeda, the Peruvian Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), and the Abu Nidal organization—demonstrate both first succession challenges and the role of founders in shaping these challenges’ magnitude.