Understanding Non-State Actors
How Rebels Acquire Their Weapons
This monograph addresses the lack of academic literature on armed non-state actors (NSAs) in global politics and warfare. It presents a systematic historical review and a substantive theory of NSAs and their weapon acquisition efforts. The recent effectiveness of well-armed groups like Hamas against powerful states highlights the significance of weapons in NSAs’ military capabilities. Throughout history, from the Jewish rebellion against Rome to the conflict involving Ukrainian separatists, the acquisition of arms has been crucial for NSAs, enabling them to sustain their forces. While weapons are not the sole determinant of military strength, they are essential for initiating and maintaining revolts. Conversely, shortages of arms can lead to the failure of operations. A key theme is that despite significant political and technological changes, armed NSAs have consistently used similar methods to obtain weapons, such as self-production, looting, external support, and the arms trade, though the relevance of each method has evolved over time. The monograph explores the political, social, cultural, technological, and organizational factors that influence NSAs' ability to acquire arms, making it a valuable resource for students and lecturers in Military, Terrorism, Conflict, and War and Peace studies.
