Diaspora as diplomats: rethinking the role of transnational communities in shaping non-state armed groups

How do non-state armed groups (NSAGs) engage with their diaspora networks? The literature on armed groups has long recognized the importance of "rebel diplomacy"—how armed groups conduct their international relations through peace agreements, negotiations, and political wings abroad. Rebel diplomacy is typically understood as a core component of rebel governance, and it focuses on the interactions between NSAGs and external actors such as states, international organizations, and NGOs. However, these activities are often considered in isolation from diaspora networks, which tend to be categorized as external, third-party actors. I argue that diaspora networks should be understood as a fundamental form of rebel diplomacy, and that this framework can help us better understand contemporary conflict dynamics. To develop this perspective, I categorize diaspora-NSAG engagement into three types: as providers of material assistance, supporters of ideology, and agents of peace. This shift in perspective challenges the portrayal of diaspora networks as unorganized or incidental to NSAG governance. I demonstrate the structured and strategic ways in which these transnational communities can shape the operations, resources, and international standing of the non-state armed groups they are connected to—for better or for worse.