Growing Nexus of Terrorism and Organized Crime: An Introduction

Abstract

Terrorism has become an enduring global threat, due to an unprecedented growth in interactivity between and among a range of armed violent non-state actors, including organized criminal groups. This is due to a crisis of state fragility, as state institutions weaken and some states even face the prospect of collapse. In this absence of governance, corruption becomes rampant, in some cases allowing terrorist and criminal groups to replace state functions, further undermining the state. In this vicious cycle, these groups are beginning to cooperate on multiple levels and are sometimes even becoming hybrid organizations. This chapter will attempt to shed light on some of the key issues that have led to the nexus of crime and terror, and it will offer some innovative and strategic ideas on how best to move forward in meeting these current and future challenges.