Copying and Learning from Outsiders?
Assessing Diffusion from Transnational Insurgents in the Chechen Wars
Kristin M. Bakke
MVZ489
Anna Kosenko UČO: 454888

•Background-  research of transnational terrorism and its connection with intra-state conflicts on
the example of the Chechen wars.
The purposes of the study:
- to define the concept of transnational rebels;
- to analyze the role of transnational insurgents in intrastate conflicts
- to analyze the diffusion mechanisms through which transnational insurgents affect domestic
challengers to the state  and what tools are used in this;
-to explain how armed transnational non-state actors, which I refer to as transnational insurgents,
influence the domestic challengers to the state.
- to analyze the domestic dynamics of the transnational relations of
intrastate conflicts;
- to  theorize both the domestic processes that the transnational insurgents are likely to impact
and the mechanisms through which they affect these processes.

•
Hypothesis I : transnational terrorism «stems» from intra-state conflicts and «fueles» by them.
Hypothesis II: through refugee communities,
neighboring states may be sanctuaries for rebel groups.

Transnational Insurgents in Time and Space
Who are transnational insurgents?
- Transnational insurgents in armed intrastate conflicts are non-state actors that for either
ideational or material reasons opt to participate in an intrastate conflict outside their own home
country, siding with the challenger to the state.
 -Foreign legions or private security companies that are hired by states or companies can not be
considered as transnational insurgents.

Research of David Malet:
hypothesis- transnational insurgents have appeared in an increasing share of conflicts over time,
which he attributes to the ease of communication in an increasingly globalized world.
 Statistical data:
-transnational insurgents were present in 67 from 331 armed intrastate conflicts, that occured
between 1816 and 2005.
-among the conflicts with transnational insurgents present, more than 40%
 begun after the Cold War’s demise, in Africa, the post-communist countries, Asia,and the Middle
East;
-among these conflicts, the transnational insurgents in eight to ten were Islamic militants.

•Beginning with the regional contexts, conflict-ridden neighborhoods may increase a state’s chances
of experiencing violent conflict.
•Strong states with capabilities to police their territories and borders should be better fit than
their weaker counterparts to keep transnational insurgents out.
•Centralized political systems, where executive power is concentrated, may provide transnational
actors with few access points to their target state, while states where power is dispersed may
provide more access points for influence.
• Conclusions- states that block domestic groups from exerting influence may inadvertently create a
boomerang pattern where the domestic groups seek allies outside the state to exert pressure on it,
as such opening the door for transnational actors.
Transnationalism, Social Movements, and Intrastate Struggles

intrastate conflicts can be not «so intrastate»
 this statement  was investigated and proved in the new literature about  violent transnational
relations -
. Nye and Keohane 1971a; 1971b; Haas 1992; Evangelista 1995; Risse-Kappen 1995; Keck and Sikkink
1998; Checkel 1999; Tarrow 2005; Orenstein and Schmitz 2006.
Next statements of research:
Transnational insurgents can help boost the resources needed to fight this dual struggle that each
faction of the domestic movement is fighting, and there are multiple entry points, or domestic
allies, for the outsiders.
Indeed, while a cohesive domestic movement may be willing to let outsiders in, it is also able to
say no.
A fragmented movement, in contrast, may be less able to control how many and what kind of outside
actors it allows to join its ranks.
Transnationalism, Social Movements, and Intrastate Struggles

 What factors let to enable transnational insurgents to enter domestic
struggles?
1.location in a bad neighborhood,
2. weak state,
3.traits of the transnational actors,
4.the domestic balance of power,
5. the cohesiveness of the domestic insurgent movement ( by Staniland and Zukerman ).
Transnationalism, Social Movements, and Intrastate Struggles

•Relational diffusion is about the transfer of information or resources through
•personal networks and social bonds. It includes inter-personal interactions. Non-relational (
Staniland and Zukerman )- foreign fighters may lead to changes in the domestic rebels’ ideational
motivation, war-fighting capacity, and recruitment.
•The autor’s  approach-  is nonetheless consistent with theirs, focusing on three aspects of the
domestic movement likely to be influenced by the outsiders.
•Diffusion is about the transmissions between people or groups with no direct ties or social bonds,
through television, the radio, newspapers, and the internet.
•Mediated diffusion takes place when a third party, say a school or key contact person, brings two
previously unconnected parties together—or at least bring togetherinformation or resources from two
previously unconnected parties.
Diffusion from Transnational to Domestic Insurgents