Chapter 2 – A Social Network Analysis of the Toronto 18

Abstract

This chapter employs social network analysis in order to empirically explore the communication network established by the Toronto 18 in the three years before their arrest. It provides a basic conceptual overview of the extent, breadth, and nature of ideological and operational communiques between the disparate members within the Toronto 18 to further stimulate scholarly inquiry into similar relational dynamics within analogous terrorist groups. This chapter also provides readers with an understanding of certain group, social, and structural characteristics across three distinct periods: (1) the radicalization phase (January 2003 to October 2005); (2) the winter training camp (November 2005 to December 2005); and (3) the three-month period surrounding the Opasatika property buying trip (January 2006 to March 2006). Research results are then presented and discussed, along with a brief overview of areas for future research.