RAND_MR1382

outside of the realm of true terrorism because of their lack of formal organization. In
fact, one noted Los Angeles gang investigator, Wesley McBride, describes traditional
gang activity as “disorganized crime in action.” 6 Yet informal, network-like
organization is one of the factors that may make netwar more difficult to combat than
classic terrorism.
Figure 4.1—Characteristics of Street Gang Generations
Table 4.1
Netwar Potential of Gangs, Hooligans, and Anarchists by Indicator
Analyst Robert J. Bunker sees this as one of the factors that may contribute to the rise of
nonstate “soldiers.” Other factors contributing to this emergence include failed
communities with disintegrating social structure and increased sophistication. In
Bunker’s view, terrorism is an insidious form of warfare based on social rather than
political considerations. 7 He sees “armed nonstate actors intent on legitimizing forms of