Modeling Jihad: A System Dynamics Model of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat Financial Subsystem (Strategic Insights, Volume V, Issue 8 November 2006)

Abstract

This paper will describe the authors' efforts to model the financial operations and organizational behavior of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (known by its French initials, GSPC), using Stella(R) version 9.0, a commercially-available system dynamics software package. The model aggregates empirical knowledge and collective expert opinion on the GSPC financial subsystem into a single cognitive tool.[1] Using the model for exploratory analysis suggests answers to questions such as how funding affects the quantity and type of GSPC operations, how the financial and operational aspects of the organization change over its life cycle, and what policymakers should expect next from the GSPC. Finally, the model allows users to see the full range of effects from different policy choices, including effects policymakers may not intend.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA521347

Entities

People

  • Alex Grynkewich
  • Chris Reifel

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Commerce
  • Computer Science
  • Crime
  • Delphi Method
  • Dynamics
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Money
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Security
  • Simulations
  • Societies
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States Northern Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.