This dissertation seeks to answer three questions regarding transnational terrorism. The first question asks why particular countries become the targets of transnational terrorist organizations. Prior theoretical explanations point to the structural characteristics of governments, but based on a sample from 1996-2011, evidence points to an explanation of political stability, where fragmentation in the political branches provides greater opportunities for attack. The second question asks about the conditions under which high courts are willing to strike down counter-terrorism laws, finding that political fragmentation is a likely explanation for this type of judicial behavior, which is noted in the literature, but previously unexplained. The third question uses network analysis methods to understand the transformation of terrorist networks over time due to targeted assassination policies. What is found is that these policies are generally ineffective. The overall size of the network decreases, but the general structure is left intact. The ability for terrorist organizations to operate continues without any significant disruption.
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