The purpose of this report is to provide policymakers, practitioners, and academics with data and analysis regarding kidnapping events perpetrated by jihadist groups against Westerners in non-Western countries. It will do so by first examining all non-state actor kidnappings from both a macro- and micro-level to place the phenomenon in context. This general approach then becomes the springboard from which to compare and contrast trends in jihadist kidnappings with those of other non-state actors. Following a brief introduction that outlines the scope, data, and methods used in the study, the first section's macro-level analysis uses data from the Global Terrorism Database (GDT) maintained by the University of Maryland's START Consortium (7,048 incidents between 1970 and 2013). The second section's micro-level analysis of kidnapping events involving Western hostages since 2001 utilizes an original Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) dataset consisting of 1,485 observations that incorporated data from individual academics, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), non-profit and for-profit research think tanks, and private sector insurance companies.

"December 2015."

Executive summary. -- Introduction. -- Data and methods. -- Section 1: Kidnapping in historical perspective (1970-2013). -- Section 2: The Kidnapping of Westerners by non-state actors (2001-2015). -- When, where and by whom are Westerners kidnapped? -- Does victim nationality matter? -- Does victim occupation matter? -- Which jihadist groups are most active? -- Who holds captives the longest? -- Who executes and who releases? -- Findings in contest. -- Policy implications? -- Appendix A: the inclusion of pirates.