Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC)

Our own Mahmut Cengiz's newest publication.

Upcoming New Book Alert: For colleagues and followers interested in our TraCCC-AITI Hubs of Illicit Trade (HIT) project, I want to bring attention that our latest research will be available, as an e-book (first) published by Routledge (London) - for pre-order on September 9, 2024, and shipped on 29 September 2024 at: https://lnkd.in/ejB7MVip. ISBN 9781032796420 This book, expertly edited by our colleague, Dr. Yulia Krylova, meticulously examines how centers of illicit trade pose myriad interconnected threats to global security, markets, sustainable development, and the public health and safety of communities around. The innovative research also provides a multi-dimensional approach for cross-hub comparisons, measuring the scale of their illicit activities based the assessment of #illicittrade risk levels that combines indicators related to all aspects of illicit trade, including #corruption in the private and public sectors, #moneylaundering, and financial secrecy, among other dimensions. These hubs also serve as safe havens for smugglers and their accomplices, fostering a criminal ecosystem that facilitates the convergence of various criminal activities. The book underscores the detrimental impact of poorly regulated international #freetradezones, which prioritize expediency over security, thereby allowing illicit trade to flourish in regions characterized by opaque governance and lax regulatory oversight. It comprehensively explores the spectrum of illicit trade present in notorious hubs such as the #Argentina #Brazil #Paraguay Tri-Border Area, #Dubai, #Panama, #Belize, #Guatemala, and #Ukraine. Emphasizing the phenomenon of crime convergence associated with these hubs, the book offers actionable recommendations for disrupting their interconnected illicit #supplychains, infrastructures, and networks. By addressing the illicit economies, the book fills a critical void in understanding how vulnerabilities within the global economy fuel the creation of illicit trade hubs. It will be of great value to researchers in the fields of #trade, economics, #criminology, and international development. It will also be an excellent resource for government agencies, policymakers, and private-sector managers in those industries most affected by the growing problem of illicit trade. Co-Authors: Louise Shelley, Yulia Krylova, Jorge Lasmar, PhD, Dr Rashmi Singh, Alexander Kupatadze, Daniel Rico, and David M. Luna 🦏 🌎 🐘 Threat Convergence ≜ Kine-Dynamics. As the Co-Director of TraCCC-AITI with Dr. Shelley, I am very proud of our project team leaders who worked on the HIT project; and an honor to write Chapter 6 with Dr. Krylova on "Conclusions: Disrupting Hubs of Illicit Trade". Also make sure to follow us at: Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC) Anti-Illicit Trade Institute (AITI), Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) George Mason University at: https://lnkd.in/eAuvGhKt

🚨 Reminder: Registration is Now Open! 🚨 Join us for the Third International Edition of the Online Summer Certificate Course on Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trade: Networks, Dynamics, and Social Impact! 🌍 🗓 Dates: August 5–15, 2024 🏫 Co-convened by: TraCCC and AITI (Anti-Illicit Trade Institute) at George Mason University and the University for Peace (UPEACE) This course is ideal for state and non-state professionals, civil society representatives, journalists, Post-Docs, and graduate students! 🔍 Core Objectives: Understand the impact of different types of crimes on state capacity to manage and mitigate threats Gain an overview of transnational organized crime, its characteristics, and activities Learn about international policies and frameworks addressing these challenges 🎓 Certificate: Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion 💲 Cost: USD 500 (submitted to UPEACE) 📌 More information and registration can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gbJcbMkk 📧 Have questions? Email us at: [email protected] Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills in combating transnational organized crime! 🚀

🚨 Registration is Open! 🚨 Join us for the Third International Edition of the Online Summer Certificate Course on Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trade: Networks, Dynamics, and Social Impact! 🌍 🗓 Dates: August 5–15, 2024 🏫 Co-convened by: TraCCC and AITI (Anti-Illicit Trade Institute) at George Mason University and the University for Peace (UPEACE) This course is perfect for state and non-state professionals, civil society representatives, journalists, Post-Docs, and graduate students! 🔍 Core Objectives: Understand the impact of different types of crimes on state capacity to manage and mitigate threats Gain an overview of transnational organized crime, its characteristics, and activities Learn about international policies and frameworks addressing these challenges 🎓 Certificate: Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion 💲 Cost: USD 500 (submitted to UPEACE) 📌 Information and registration can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gbJcbMkk 📧 Questions? Email us at: [email protected] Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills in combating transnational organized crime! 🚀

Registration remains open for our world-class Online Certificate Summer Course, Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trade, taught by distinguished faculty and international experts from the University for Peace (UPEACE) - UN Mandated), the Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Anti-Illicit Trade Institute (AITI), Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) at the George Mason University. The third edition will take place online from 5 - 15 August 2024, with classes only from Monday to Thursday. Week 1: 5th - 8th August 2024 Week 2: 12th - 15th August 2024 This outstanding course aims to improve participants’ comprehension of the dynamics of transnational organized crime, focusing on money laundering, corruption, illicit trade, security, trade zones, state fragility, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030). The main objective of the course is to identify how different types of crimes impact the capacity of the state to manage and mitigate internal and external threats. The course will also push participants to think about organized crime from a more nuanced perspective, specifically as an aspect of social conflict, emphasizing that the challenges for promoting peace are embedded in local, regional, and global contexts. Participants will receive an accredited certificate upon successful completion of the course. Course goals and objectives: It will also provide participants with an overview of transnational organized crime in terms of its characteristics and activities, as well as the international policies and frameworks developed in the face of these complex challenges. At the end of the course, participants will be capable of the following: a. Defining transnational organized crime. b. Contextualizing transnational organized crime within local, regional, and global dynamics. c. Comprehending corruption as a form of organized crime. d. Identifying different methods of money laundering and illicit trade within organized criminal dynamics. Course content: a. Transnational organized crime #CTOC b. #Corruption c. #MoneyLaundering d. #Counterfeits and #illicittrade e. #Freetradezones f. State fragility g. #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SDGs h. Geopolitics of #organizedcrime i. The role of #civilsociety to counter organized crime j. #Investigativejournalism and protection of journalists k. Human mobility l. #Environmentcrime and transnational security #nationalsecurity m. Transnational organized crime groups and business elites Participants will have the opportunity to work in groups and present a case study at the end of the course. 💡 Equip yourself with the knowledge to combat organized crime and illicit trade. Summer Course Fee: $500. 📧 Contact us: [email protected]. Enroll now: https://lnkd.in/eFVQsyee #TBML #threatintelligence

🚨 Registration is Open! 🚨 Join us for the Third International Edition of the Online Summer Certificate Course on Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trade: Networks, Dynamics, and Social Impact! 🌍 🗓 Dates: August 5–15, 2024 🏫 Co-convened by: TraCCC and AITI (Anti-Illicit Trade Institute) at George Mason University and the University for Peace (UPEACE) This course is perfect for state and non-state professionals, civil society representatives, journalists, Post-Docs, and graduate students! 🔍 Core Objectives: Understand the impact of different types of crimes on state capacity to manage and mitigate threats Gain an overview of transnational organized crime, its characteristics, and activities Learn about international policies and frameworks addressing these challenges 🎓 Certificate: Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion 💲 Cost: USD 500 (submitted to UPEACE) 📌 Information and registration can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gbJcbMkk 📧 Questions? Email us at: [email protected] Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills in combating transnational organized crime! 🚀

On May 15, TraCCC hosted a discussion with David Malpass, former President of the World Bank, and Frank Vogl, co-founder of Transparency International, on the global debt crisis and the tightening of credit markets for developing countries. In many countries this is leading to debt repayment outflows exceeding incoming concessional loans, thereby starving essential investment in infrastructure and human development. Malpass highlighted the severe impact of slow global growth on development finance. He emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms, including increasing debt transparency and encouraging investment-friendly policies in developing countries. Vogl focused on the role of corruption in exacerbating debt issues and the necessity of involving civil society in monitoring and reforming the debt system. He stressed that the international debt system is currently skewed to protect creditors rather than foster development. Both speakers agreed on three key takeaways - A significant portion of global capital is flowing to advanced economies, depriving developing countries of necessary investment. - Systemic issues, such as the opacity of debt contracts and the failure of international debt restructuring processes, are hindering progress. - Reforms are needed to increase debt transparency and sustainability, improve business environments, and integrate climate and development goals. This discussion underscores the need for a balanced approach to global debt management that prioritizes development and transparency over creditor protection. It’s a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, and civil society to collaborate on creating a more equitable and effective debt system. 🔗 For more insights, check out the detailed remarks by David Malpass and Frank Vogl: https://lnkd.in/gggcsb79 https://lnkd.in/g7S6GjTq #GlobalDebtCrisis #DevelopmentFinance #Transparency #Corruption #Investment #DebtRelief #TraCCC #DavidMalpass #FrankVogl #SystemicReform

Final report of the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption project is out. TraCCC is honored to have been part of this impactful, comprehensive work on the impacts of corruption on natural resources, and contribute to thinking on how to improve biodiversity outcomes. TRAFFIC, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre

🌍 Join Us for a Discussion on the Global Debt Crisis In a world where global indebtedness impacts every facet of international finance, understanding these complexities is more crucial than ever. I'm excited to invite you to a pivotal event that delves into this critical issue. 📅 Date: May 15, 2024 ⏰ Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (EST) 📍 Location: Van Metre Hall, Room TBD, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. 22201 🔗 RSVP Here: https://lnkd.in/eXF9aGDt Keynote Speakers: David Malpass, Former President of the World Bank Frank Vogl, Co-Founder of Transparency International Prof. Dr. Gergana Yordanova, Ph.D, Visiting Fullbright Research Fellow Important Resources for Deeper Insight: https://lnkd.in/gggcsb79 China Winning BRI Memo - Hudson Institute https://lnkd.in/gmGVPJih The Coming Sovereign Debt Disaster https://lnkd.in/gUMCrieV World Bank Speech by David Malpass TIE Spring 2023 - David Malpass PDF https://lnkd.in/gNHYUyAE Bretton Woods Committee https://lnkd.in/e8R2crh This session will not only clarify the current global debt situation but also explore viable solutions and preventative measures. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from top experts in the field. #GlobalDebtCrisis #Finance #GlobalDevelopment #WorldBank #TransparencyInternational #Networking