Work

Why do terrorists target the energy industry? A review of kidnapping, violence and attacks against energy infrastructure

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Recent cases show that energy facilities or workers have increasingly become victims of terrorist attacks. Why do terrorists target the energy industry? While the existing literature suggests that terrorists rarely target energy transmission infrastructure, this article argues that energy may induce terrorism in a broader way, and offers a detailed explanation of why energy is a significant terrorist target. This article also presents data on terrorist incidents to show that energy is the most important non-human terrorist target from 1970 to 2018, the economic impact of terrorist attacks on energy facilities is large, and oil producing countries are vulnerable to terrorist kidnappings.

Source: Energy Research & Social Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102459

Author: Chia-yi Lee

Institution: National Chengchi University

Language: English

Topic: Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,950