Disrupting Threat Finances: Using Financial Information to Disrupt Terrorist Organizations

by Wesley J.L. Anderson, Joint Special Operations University 08-3

Terrorist financing is a critical issue in the current fight against transnational terrorist networks or groups.

Major Anderson provides an excellent overview of terrorist financing and expands upon how it fits into the broader construct of threat financing. He articulates the significant challenges any government faces in trying to interrupt the terrorist networks use of the global financial system. The sheer immensity of this system provides ample opportunity for terrorists to operate undetected or unhindered. He also highlights that the very international nature of the global economic system presents enormous challenges in trying to coordinate amongst the almost 200 sovereign states that comprise the current world order.

INTERPOL Links:

Funds derived from criminal activities

Alternative remittance systems distinguishing sub-systems of ethnic money laundering in INTERPOL member countries on the Asian continent

The hawala alternative remittance system and its role in money laundering