• E4J University Module Series: Organized Crime / Counter-Terrorism

• Module 16: Linkages between Organized Crime and Terrorism

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

  • Definitions and terminology
  • Organized crime and terrorism: International legal framework
  • • Terrorism international framework: International terrorism-related conventions
    • Terrorism international framework: General UNSC resolutions on terrorism
    • Organized crime international framework: The Organized Crime Convention and its Protocols
  • Theoretical frameworks on the linkages between organized crime and terrorism
  • Typologies of criminal behaviour associated with terrorism
  • • Terrorism and drug trafficking
    • Terrorism and trafficking in weapons
    • Links between terrorism, crime and trafficking in cultural property / antiquities
    • Trafficking in persons and terrorism
    • Intellectual property crime and terrorism
    • Kidnapping for ransom and terrorism
    • Exploitation of natural resources and terrorism
  • Summary
  • References

• Case studies

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• • Research and independent study questions
  • Review and assessment questions
  • Quiz 16

• Additional teaching tools

Published March 2019

Regional Perspective: Eastern and Southern Africa - added in April 2020

 

 

  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Research and independent study questions

 

a) Please examine the four types of relationships between terrorism and organized crime identified by Makarenko (alliance, operational motivations, convergence, black hole). Examine the different conditions that might lead the two groups to act along this "crime-terror continuum" and, when possible, provide real-life examples.

b) Besides those groups recognized as "terrorist" organizations by the United Nations, States often compile their national lists. Conduct some research on which organizations are included in the terrorist list of your country - or one of your choosing - and develop a historical timeline of how such list has changed over the years. Which historical event(s) coincided with the inclusion/removal of the organization(s) in the list?

c) Consider the definition of an organized criminal group as provided in the Organized Crime Convention. Reflect on which of the four criteria included in such definition would set terrorist organizations and organized criminal groups apart.

d) Consider one of the linkages between organized crime-terrorism presented in this Module (i.e. drug trafficking and terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and terrorism, trafficking in persons and terrorism, etc.) and conduct research on the linkage between a form of organized crime of your choosing and terrorism in your region/county. What data is available to support the existence of these linkages? What kind of linkages seem to be there? Please elaborate.

e) Conduct research on the involvement of women in terrorist organizations and organized criminal groups. What is their role in these organizations? Can you identify difference and similarity of roles covered by women in terrorist organizations and organized criminal groups? Please elaborate. 

 

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Next: Additional teaching tools (open to the public)

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