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Howdoesstate repression affect the incidence and impact of terrorism? This study conducts a process tracing analysis of the ongoing conten tion betweenthe Uyghurseparatistmovement andtheChinesestate to provide a plausible explanation for the present lack of consensus onthis question. Relying on insights from collective action theory, it arguesthat although repression was initially successful in curtailing the opportunis tic use of terrorism, novel political opportunity allowed some separatists to adopt innovations, such as suicide bombing, to circumvent repres sion. Repression has since proved ineffective in quelling terrorism, and will likely remain incapable of forestalling future terrorist innovations.