A graph database framework for covert network analysis: An application to the Islamic State network in Europe

Alexander Gutfraind; Michael Genkin

doi:10.1016/j.socnet.2016.10.004

A graph database framework for covert network analysis: An application to the Islamic State network in Europe

Alexander Gutfraind, Michael Genkin

Sociology

University of Illinois

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This paper proposes a new framework, based on graph database theory, for encoding complex data on covert networks, mapping their structure, and conducting a sensitivity analysis. The framework is then applied to reconstruct the terrorist network of the 2015–2016 attacks in Paris and Brussels, and related plots in Europe by the Islamic State group. The resulting network was found to be qualitatively different from the ideologically-related Al-Qaeda network, having a lower secrecy and a lower mean degree, under different network-generating assumptions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	178-188
Journal	Social Networks
Volume	51
Early online date	25 Nov 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2016.10.004
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

covert network
terrorist network
graph database
terrorism
Islamic State

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.socnet.2016.10.004

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abstract = "This paper proposes a new framework, based on graph database theory, for encoding complex data on covert networks, mapping their structure, and conducting a sensitivity analysis. The framework is then applied to reconstruct the terrorist network of the 2015–2016 attacks in Paris and Brussels, and related plots in Europe by the Islamic State group. The resulting network was found to be qualitatively different from the ideologically-related Al-Qaeda network, having a lower secrecy and a lower mean degree, under different network-generating assumptions.",

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A graph database framework for covert network analysis: An application to the Islamic State network in Europe

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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