Adopting the Divide-and-Conquer Strategy for Use of Terrorists in Counterterrorism Through the Stag Hunt Game-Theoretic Environment

Abstract This study interweaved the divide-and-conquer strategy with the stag hunt game to model a terrorism and counterterrorism environment. The records in the global terrorism database show that 98% of total terror attack incidents from 1970 to 2018 were targeted on law-abiding citizens/facilities, while 2% were targeted on terrorists. Three divide-and-conquer strategies are proposed: destruction of communication channels, payment of bribes, and fomenting distrust among terror groups. When these strategies are implemented, terrorists will effectively be used as tools in counterterrorism. Consequently, attacks on citizens will be reduced while attacks on terrorists will be increased.