@inproceedings{1910feb4ec7a41d8ad2c437617098120,
title = "Shaping operations to attack robust terror networks",
abstract = "Security organizations often attempt to disrupt terror or insurgent networks by targeting 'high value targets' (HVT's). However, there have been numerous examples that illustrate how such networks are able to quickly re-generate leadership after such an operation. Here, we introduce the notion of a 'shaping' operation in which the terrorist network is first targeted for the purpose of reducing its leadership re-generation ability before targeting HVT's. We look to conduct shaping by maximizing the network-wide degree centrality through node removal. We formally define this problem and prove solving it is NP-Complete. We introduce a mixed integer-linear program that solves this problem exactly as well as a greedy heuristic for more practical use. We implement the greedy heuristic and found in examining five real-world terrorist networks that removing only 12% of nodes can increase the network-wide centrality between 17% and 45%.",
keywords = "algorithms, complex networks, sociology, terrorism",
author = "Devon Callahan and Paulo Shakarian and Jeffrey Nielsen and Johnson, {Anthony N.}",
year = "2012",
doi = "10.1109/SocialInformatics.2012.22",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9780769550152",
series = "Proceedings of the 2012 ASE International Conference on Social Informatics, SocialInformatics 2012",
publisher = "IEEE Computer Society",
pages = "13--18",
booktitle = "Proceedings of the 2012 ASE International Conference on Social Informatics, SocialInformatics 2012",
note = "2012 ASE International Conference on Social Informatics, SocialInformatics 2012 ; Conference date: 14-12-2012 Through 16-12-2012",
}