Degree Name

Department

David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies

College

David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies

Defense Date

2026-04-21

Publication Date

2026

First Faculty Advisor

Rebecca Dudley

Second Faculty Advisor

Quinn Mecham

First Faculty Reader

Daniel Milton

Second Faculty Reader

David Romney

Honors Coordinator

Joshua Gubler

Keywords

Insurgency, insurgent governance, integration, coercion, compliance, loyalty

Abstract

This research establishes a new typology of insurgent governance (coercive versus integrative) and examines the relationship between the type of insurgent government and the extent of insurgent territorial control. I examined 27 insurgencies in the Middle East across 227 total years to investigate my hypothesis that coercive governance decreases the extent of insurgent territorial control while integrative governance increases that extent. My findings are entirely contrary to my theory, indicating that coercive governance actually expands insurgent territorial control. My research suggests that counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts can cripple insurgent territorial control by reducing insurgent ability to coerce their constituents.