Linkages of organized crime with terrorism
As organized crime and terrorist groups have globalized and diversified their operations in the past decade, they have based their activities in countries offering conditions most favorable to survival and expansion. Mobility, an important new characteristic of most such groups, has given groups a wider selection of operational bases and the ability to respond faster to changes that are unfavorable to their operations.
The main domestic Elements making a nation “hospitable” to transnational crime and terrorism are official Corruption, incomplete or weak legislation, poor enforcement of existing laws, non-transparent financial institutions, unfavorable economic conditions, lack of respect for the Rule of Law in Society, and poorly guarded national borders. In some cases, several of those conditions arise together from a lack of political will to establish the rule of law. In turn, such a lack can derive from weak national institutions or from high-level corruption. A failing national economy often is an influential background factor that increases domestic and transnational criminal activity in a country. Such purely domestic factors often are exacerbated by a nation’s geographic location (along a key Narcotics trafficking route or in a region where arms trafficking is prolific, for example), or the influence of regional geopolitical issues such as a long-standing territorial dispute.
The reach of transnational crime and terrorism is increasing for many of the same reasons that the reach of legitimate business is expanding. Many of the regions discussed in this report are touched by criminal or terrorist activity from other regions of the world. For example, the starting point of arms trafficking in Africa often is weapons supplies in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and the trafficking of narcotics and human beings covers long distances from Asia and Africa to Western Europe and North America. Intermediary agents often are involved in transit countries along the routes. This Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization has brought about greatly increased cooperation and sophistication among criminal groups based in different parts of the world. In recent years, terrorist groups also have proven that their reach is worldwide, as they benefit from some of the same conditions that make nations hospitable to organized crime. Evidence shows, for example, that terrorist groups based in the Middle East have established connections in several other continents.
In recent years, many nations of East Africa have been plagued by domestic and transnational upheavals that have destabilized borders and weakened law enforcement in both the nations directly affected and their more stable neighbors. Sudan has endured a lengthy insurgency, Somalia is an agglomeration of rival groups without a national government, Ethiopia and Eritrea have been at war often, and the Great Lakes District has been plagued by inter-tribal brutality in Rwanda and Burundi and insurgent movements in eastern Congo. International traffickers in narcotics, human beings, and arms have found this Environment favorable for their enterprises. The more stable nations of the region—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—have suffered from the instability surrounding them as well as from domestic corruption and law enforcement insufficiencies. Smugglers and terrorists are attracted to East Africa because of its geographic proximity to the Middle East and South Asia, its long coastline that is difficult to control, regular airline service to Europe and North America, and sizeable and increasingly radicalized Muslim communities.
In India
Terrorism is a serious problem which India is facing. Conceptually, terrorism does not fall in the category of organised crime, as the dominant motive behind terrorism is political and/or ideological and not the acquisition of Money-power. The Indian experience, however, shows that the criminals are perpetrating all kinds of crimes, such as killings, rapes, kidnappings, gun-running and drug trafficking, under the umbrella of terrorist organisations. The existing criminal networks are being utilised by the terrorist leaders. India faced serious problems in the Punjab in the 1980s, which has since been controlled with the installation of a popular government.
The North East still continues to be in turmoil due to the unlawful activities of ULFA and NSCN. The terrorist groups there are partly financing their operations by kidnappings for ransom of tea garden executives and extortion from businessmen. PWG and LTTE, in small pockets of southern India, continue to indulge in continual acts of violence.
In view of threat to the national security, the Central Government, enacted an antiterrorist law, Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1985. About 60,000 terrorists were charged under this Act. However, the trials were slow and the conviction rate quite low. This Act was allowed to lapse in 1995. India at present does not have any anti-terrorist law.
India has become vulnerable to narco terrorism, bounded as it is by the ‘Golden Crescent’ on the West and the ‘Golden Triangle’ on the East. Narco terrorism assumes several forms, namely:
- Terrorists themselves indulge in drug trafficking to support their movements ;
- Sympathizers of terrorists living abroad indulge in drug trafficking and send part of their illegal profits to fund the terrorist movements ;
- Terrorists join hands with drug lords to gain access to the powers, in the countries sympathetic to their cause, in order to utilise their connections with political powers ;
- Terrorists give protection and support to drug traffickers with fire arms, and the drug traffickers, being acquainted with the routes, assist the terrorists in border crossings to bring arms and drugs in the target country; and
- Smugglers supply fire arms to the terrorists who are also drug traffickers.
The areas affected by terrorism in India are the border States which also happen to be transit roues for narcotics to their destinations in the Western world. It is not a concidence that the Growth of terrorist movement in Punjab synchronised with the emergence of the Golden Crescent as a major drug producing area in the early 1980s. The emergence of drug mafias in the Golden Crescent countries and their linkages with smugglers in the border States of India have given impetus to gun-running. There is positive evidence of narco-terrorism in the border States of India even though the magnitude there of is not significant. Some mixed consignments of narcotic drugs and arms were seized from smugglers in the Punjab. There is also evidence that the money generated abroad by the smugglers was used for purchase of weapons which were smuggled into the country for terrorist activities. To illustrate, Dawood Ibrahim, utilised the existing smuggling Network in landing consignments of arms and explosives on the western coast in early 1993, used for causing serial blasts in Bombay.,
Organized crime and terrorism are two of the most pressing security threats facing the world today. Both are transnational in nature, and both rely on violence and intimidation to achieve their goals. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the linkages between organized crime and terrorism. These linkages can take a number of forms, including cooperation, competition, and exploitation.
Cooperation between organized crime and terrorism can take place in a number of ways. For example, organized crime groups may provide terrorist groups with weapons or other supplies, while terrorist groups may provide organized crime groups with protection or other Services. This cooperation can make it easier for both groups to carry out their criminal activities.
Competition between organized crime and terrorism can also lead to violence and instability. For example, organized crime groups and terrorist groups may compete for control of criminal markets, such as the drug trade. This competition can lead to violence, as each group tries to eliminate the other.
Finally, organized crime and terrorism can both exploit the same vulnerabilities in society, such as POVERTY and lack of opportunity. This can make it difficult to combat both problems effectively. For example, both organized crime groups and terrorist groups may recruit members from poor and marginalized communities. This can make it difficult to prevent people from joining these groups, and it can also make it difficult to rehabilitate those who have already joined.
The linkages between organized crime and terrorism can have a number of negative impacts on society. First, these linkages can increase the level of violence and instability in society. Second, these linkages can make it more difficult to combat both organized crime and terrorism. Third, these linkages can make it easier for terrorists to obtain weapons and other supplies. Fourth, these linkages can make it easier for terrorists to recruit members.
There are a number of responses that can be taken to address the linkages between organized crime and terrorism. First, it is important to strengthen law enforcement efforts to combat both organized crime and terrorism. This includes improving intelligence sharing, coordinating law enforcement activities, and building capacity in developing countries.
Second, it is important to address the root causes of organized crime and terrorism, such as poverty and lack of opportunity. This can be done through Economic Development, Education, and social programs.
Third, it is important to build international cooperation to combat both organized crime and terrorism. This includes sharing information, coordinating law enforcement activities, and building capacity in developing countries.
The linkages between organized crime and terrorism are a serious problem that can have a number of negative impacts on society. It is important to take steps to address these linkages in order to make society safer.
What is organized crime?
Organized crime is a transnational activity that involves the use of violence, corruption, and intimidation to achieve financial or political goals. It is often associated with drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.
What is terrorism?
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or the threat of violence against civilians in order to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. It is often carried out by groups or individuals who are motivated by a sense of grievance or injustice.
What are the linkages between organized crime and terrorism?
There are a number of linkages between organized crime and terrorism. These include:
- Shared goals: Organized crime and terrorism often share the same goals, such as the overthrow of a government or the creation of a new state.
- Shared methods: Organized crime and terrorism often use similar methods, such as violence, intimidation, and corruption.
- Shared Resources: Organized crime and terrorism often share resources, such as money, weapons, and personnel.
- Shared networks: Organized crime and terrorism often operate through shared networks, such as criminal gangs and terrorist cells.
What are the implications of the linkages between organized crime and terrorism?
The linkages between organized crime and terrorism have a number of implications, including:
- Increased violence: The linkages between organized crime and terrorism can lead to an increase in violence, as both groups compete for resources and territory.
- Destabilization of governments: The linkages between organized crime and terrorism can destabilize governments, as both groups seek to undermine the authority of the state.
- Increased threats to security: The linkages between organized crime and terrorism can increase threats to security, as both groups pose a threat to the safety of civilians.
- Increased challenges for law enforcement: The linkages between organized crime and terrorism can increase challenges for law enforcement, as both groups are difficult to track and prosecute.
What can be done to address the linkages between organized crime and terrorism?
There are a number of things that can be done to address the linkages between organized crime and terrorism, including:
- Strengthening law enforcement: Law enforcement agencies need to be strengthened in order to better track and prosecute organized crime and terrorism.
- Improving intelligence sharing: Intelligence agencies need to improve their sharing of information in order to better understand the linkages between organized crime and terrorism.
- Stopping the flow of money: The flow of money to organized crime and terrorism needs to be stopped in order to deprive them of resources.
- Addressing root causes: The root causes of organized crime and terrorism need to be addressed in order to prevent them from arising in the first place.
Sure, here are some MCQs on the topic of organized crime:
Which of the following is not a characteristic of organized crime?
(A) It is a group of individuals who engage in criminal activity for profit.
(B) It is a hierarchical organization with a clear chain of command.
(C) It uses violence and intimidation to achieve its goals.
(D) It is a loosely affiliated group of individuals who engage in criminal activity on an ad hoc basis.Which of the following is not a type of organized crime?
(A) Drug trafficking
(B) Human trafficking
(C) Money laundering
(D) TerrorismWhich of the following is not a goal of organized crime?
(A) To make money
(B) To control territory
(C) To intimidate and silence witnesses
(D) To overthrow the governmentWhich of the following is not a way that organized crime affects society?
(A) It increases crime rates.
(B) It corrupts public officials.
(C) It destabilizes communities.
(D) It helps to fund terrorism.Which of the following is not a way to combat organized crime?
(A) Increasing law enforcement resources.
(B) Strengthening laws against organized crime.
(C) Increasing public awareness of organized crime.
(D) Supporting victims of organized crime.Which of the following is not a risk factor for involvement in organized crime?
(A) Poverty
(B) Lack of education
(C) Exposure to violence
(D) Mental illnessWhich of the following is not a sign that someone may be involved in organized crime?
(A) Sudden wealth
(B) Association with known criminals
(C) Possession of illegal weapons
(D) Frequent travel to high-crime areasIf you suspect that someone is involved in organized crime, you should:
(A) Confront them directly.
(B) Report your suspicions to the police.
(C) Try to talk them out of it.
(D) Do nothing.Which of the following is not a way to protect yourself from organized crime?
(A) Be aware of your surroundings.
(B) Avoid walking alone at night.
(C) Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
(D) Don’t get involved in illegal activities.If you are a victim of organized crime, you should:
(A) Report the crime to the police.
(B) Seek legal assistance.
(C) Join a support group.
(D) All of the above.
I hope these MCQs were helpful!