Sharifi, Arian MawjPrilutsky, David B.2025-08-042025-08-042025-04-06https://theses-dissertations.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp01z029p817gThe threat of lone actor terrorism has increased substantially in recent years, especially in the United States and Western Europe. Due to inherent differences between lone actor terrorism and the more traditional coordinated terrorism – attacks executed by organizations – the two types of terrorism present distinct threats. Yet, few studies have compared lone actor terrorism to coordinated terrorism, suggesting that current counterterrorism (CT) strategies might be improved through more nuanced understandings of these specific threats. This thesis compares lone actor terrorism to coordinated terrorism by analyzing the contextual environments in which they arise, investigating how their attacks differ in terms of lethality, and exploring the varying tactical choices made by lone actors and group actors. This thesis employs a qualitative case study methodology to analyze lone actor terrorist incidents in the US, coordinated terrorist incidents in Burkina Faso, and to evaluate three hypotheses drawn from the current literature. Evidence from the case study supports all three hypotheses: (1) lone actor terrorism is most prevalent in stable countries with high capacities for counterterrorism while coordinated terrorism tends to occur more frequently in states with low counterterrorism capabilities; (2) the average coordinated attack is more deadly than the average attack carried out by a lone actor; and (3) the typical lone actor tends to opt for a less sophisticated modus operandi than the typical group actor. The results point to two policy recommendations for Burkina Faso CT and three for US CT. In Burkina Faso, (1) the government should invest more in its CT capability to build greater trust among its citizens, in turn, fostering a more resilient society. Second, (2) Burkina Faso should focus on multilateral cooperation aimed at restricting terrorist organizations’ access to funding and other resources. In the US, (1) enhancing communication between community members, CT agencies, and local law enforcement should be a top priority, as lone actors engage in leakage at extremely high rates. (2) Increasing logistical difficulty for lone actors by reducing the number of firearms in circulation and bolstering key physical defenses (e.g. bollards) can discourage some lone actors from mobilizing to violence. Lastly, (3) the diversity of terrorists holds CT efforts back from theorizing a typical profile for lone or group actors. However, in combination with previous studies, this case study uncovers multiple characteristics and behaviors common to lone actors. Integrating datasets covering characteristics and behaviors of interest (e.g. grievance espousal, criminal records, mental health history, and firearm purchases) can help CT agencies identify, disrupt, and deter potential lone actor terrorists before they attack. Following a more extensive discussion of policy implications, this thesis concludes with limitations and potential directions for future research.en-USPrinceton University Senior Theses