Describe the link between transnational criminal activity and terrorist operations. Using an example from your text to support your discussion, describe how terrorist operations use criminal activities to fuel and foster their activities and the implications for global safety and security.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Terrorist groups are closely linked with a variety of types of criminal activity in a range of regions around the world. Examples include ISIS/ISOL, FARC, and the Taliban. These (and other) organizations sell drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, etc., to purchase weapons, fund fighters, establish institutions, and maintain territory. As regions torn with war are ripe for criminal activity, terrorist groups have easy access to these types of industries and are able to take advantage of the dark web and black market to secure funding for their causes. As transnational crime is fueled by supply and demand, largely from the developed world removed from the terrorist acts/wars, this connection has far reaching implications which students should address in their discussion.