Transnational Criminal Groups and Terrorism

Paper Summary:

The increasing relationship between transnational criminal groups and terrorist groups constitutes a complex and fluid situation. This paper broadly examines some of the reasons for the increasing relationship between these two groups and by looking briefly at the organisational structures, actions and motivations of them, attempts to assess the current strength of this linkage.
Outline
Introduction
Traditional Similarities
Growing Similarities
Partnerships
Fundamental Differences
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Prior to September 11 the relationship between transnational criminal groups and terrorist groups was relatively unexplored and it appears that it was a widely held view that the link between the two was limited. In 1996 the United States government reported, 'On the basis of information currently available to the United States Government, it appear[s] that most transnational crime [is] completely unrelated to terrorist crimes or terrorism' . In the mid-1990s Alex Schmid (head of the United Nations Terrorism Prevention Branch) completed a study for the United Nations in which he came to the conclusion that '...despite some common ground, organized crime and terrorism are distinct phenomena that should not be confused. While there is overlap in the modus operandi of terrorists and organized criminals, there are several important differences'."

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