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The Crime-Terrorism Nexus

07 Feb 2019 - 13:49
Renske van der Veer
Source: Aaron Tang/Wikipedia
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This report is part of our Strategic Monitor 2018 - 2019, which monitors the international system and assesses risks to Dutch national security.  The Dutch version of the synthesis report Interregnum was published in February 2019. The English version of this synthesis report is expected in March 2019.

In this research paper author Renske van der Veer analyzes both the general threat landscape and the international norms, rules and decision-making procedures that impact the nexus between crime and terrorism. There are four factors that contribute to the long-term development of the threat related to the nexus between crime and terrorism:

  • The role of personal connections;
  • The Syrian conflict as a game changer;
  • The criminal nature of ISIS and other jihadist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq, and
  • The access foreign terrorist fighters in Syria and Iraq have to professional training and material.

There are also four developments related to the international norms, rules and decision-making procedures that impact the nexus between crime and terrorism:
 

  • Returnees from Syria and Iraq;
  • Domestic returnees from prisons;
  • Issues regarding prosecution and convictions, and
  • The organization of countermeasures.