A graph database framework for covert network analysis: An application to the Islamic State network in Europe

- Graph database theory is applied to map covert networks
- Open source media data is collected for the Islamic State (IS) network in Europe
- The network is mapped and compared to other covert networks
- Robust differences are found between IS and Al-Qaida networks

This paper proposes a new framework, based on graph database theory, for encoding complex data on covert networks, mapping their structure, and conducting a sensitivity analysis. The framework is then applied to reconstruct the terrorist network of the 2015-2016 attacks in Paris and Brussels, and related plots in Europe by the Islamic State group. The resulting network was found to be qualitatively different from the ideologically-related Al-Qaeda network, having a lower secrecy and a lower mean degree, under different network-generating assumptions.