The Arsenal of Insurrection: Explaining Rising Support for Rebels

Committed sponsors: external support overtness and civilian targeting in civil wars

“…In the wake of the recent increase in rebel sponsorship (Grauer and Tierney, 2018), several studies have investigated its influence on rebel behavior. Based on principal–agent frameworks, several works aim to explain why, despite material dependence, a convergence of interests toward a common target often gives way to a situation in which rebels’ aims are at odds with their sponsors (Salehyan, 2010).…”

Crowding out the field: External Support to Insurgents and the Intensity of Inter-rebel Fighting in Civil Wars

“…In particular, one factor that has been largely overlooked to date is the influence that foreign actors may have on inter-rebel fighting. Yet, external sponsorship to rebel groups is today a key feature of international relations (Grauer and Tierney 2018). In contemporary civil wars such as those in Libya or Syria, sponsors provide a host of material assets to support insurgents in their struggle against their governments.…”

“…Insurgent sponsorship has become a widespread foreign policy tool since the end of the Cold War (Grauer and Tierney 2018), a trend that has motivated scholars to investigate how such support may influence insurgent behavior. Based on principal-agent theories, several studies endeavor to explain why, despite high material dependence, the convergence of interests toward a common target often gives way to a situation in which rebels' aims are at odds with that of sponsors.…”

Delegated Interstate War: Introducing an Addition to Armed Conflict Typologies

“…26 Ryan Grauer and Dominic Tierney argue that the overall likelihood of rebel forces receiving foreign support has increased over time. 27 In addition, Thomas Waldman analyzes the "strategic narratives" which the United States uses to justify its support of rebel forces. 28 All of these works address important issues.…”