Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1782663738 ISBN 13: 9781782663737

Publisher: National Defense University Press, 2013

Synopsis

The Center for Complex Operations (CCO) has produced this edited volume, Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization, that delves deeply into everything mentioned above and more. In a time when the threat is growing, this is a timely effort. CCO has gathered an impressive cadre of authors to illuminate the important aspects of transnational crime and other illicit networks. They describe the clear and present danger and the magnitude of the challenge of converging and connecting illicit networks; the ways and means used by transnational criminal networks and how illicit networks actually operate and interact; how the proliferation, convergence, and horizontal diversification of illicit networks challenge state sovereignty; and how different national and international organizations are fighting back. A deeper understanding of the problem will allow us to then develop a more comprehensive, more effective, and more enduring solution.

About this title

About the Author:

 Editors Michael Miklaucic and Jacqueline Brewer have gathered an impressive cadre of authors who describe the clear and present danger and the magnitude of the challenge of converging and connecting illicit networks; the ways and means used by transnational criminal networks and how illicit networks actually operate and interact; how the proliferation, convergence, and horizontal diversification of illicit networks challenge state sovereignty; and how different national and international organizations are fighting back. A deeper understanding of the problem will allow us to then develop a more comprehensive, more effective, and more enduring solution.

Review:

New York Times  Article: Globalization Creates a New Worry: Enemy Convergence  by Thom Shanker  May 30, 2013

"As he rose through the ranks of command over a 37-year career in uniform, Admiral [James G.] Stavridis also came to be recognized as one of the military’s most prolific authors on strategy, operations and tactics. Today, though, ask what worries him most, and he answers in a single word: convergence.  That is the new term of choice in national security circles for the coming together of previously unrelated adversaries, who not only might combine in operations, but also share resources, know-how, weapons and technology and personnel.  'This is really the dark end of the spectrum of globalization as you assess rising national security risks,' Admiral Stavridis said in an interview. 'It is something I worry about enormously.'

Read the full review here: https://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/30/globalization-creates-a-new-worry-enemy-convergence/

U.S. Army  Article: NDU book addresses emerging networks that combine criminal, terrorist activity  by Michael Norris, Pentagram Assistant Editor  May 17, 2013

"Stavridis, who wrote the preface to 'Convergence,' talked about the intermingling of groups with ideological agendas with those whose main goal is to make money, and how the two have merged in the last several decades. He cited the Taliban in Afghanistan and how it has used drug smuggling to finance its political agenda. 'Weapons, cash and narcotics move along the same transnational routes,' he said. Stavridis said these illicit networks have become very resourceful and innovative in pursuing their goals, citing crudely-made cannons designed to shoot bundles of cocaine across international borders. The leaders of these networks 'wake up every day and ask, "'How can I innovate?"' the admiral said. 'We've got to match that. We have to think harder and faster.'"

https://www.army.mil/article/103552/NDU_book_addresses_emerging_networks_

The Washington Post  Article: How terrorists can exploit globalization  by James Stavridis  May 31, 2013

"Convergence may be thought of as the dark side of globalization. It is the merger of a wide variety of mobile human activities, each of which is individually dangerous and whose sum represents a far greater threat."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-terrorists-can-exploit-globalization/2013/05/31/a91b8f64-c93a-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html?utm_term=.cc0374f40d4d

Claremont Colleges-- Scholarship @ Claremont --CGU Faculty Publications and Research -CGU Faculty Scholarship  Book Review: Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization by Robert J. Bunker, Claremont Graduate University  January 1, 2013

"Quality work on an increasingly important topic of national security"

http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1450&context=cgu_fac_pub

Good Reads-- Nathan Kitzke rated this print work with 5 out of 5 stars.    

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17824147-convergence

Public Intelligence Blog: The truth at any cost lowers all other costs --Review: Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization    [in categories: Country/Regional, Crime (Corporate), Crime (Government), Crime (Organized, Transnational), Information Society, Threats (Emerging & Perennial)]  Rated 4 out of 5 stars: First Class on the Illicit Networks Not Legalized by US Congress  by Robert David Steele  December 15, 2014

"From the National Defense University Press, which I hold in very high regard, this is the single best book I have seen on the diversity of the illicit threat networks.  Each chapter is individually brilliant and all of them compelling turns of phrase and good graphics.  'Deviant globalization' and the 'geography of badness' jump out."

https://phibetaiota.net/2014/12/108010/

About this edition

• Publisher: National Defense University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1782663738
• ISBN 13: 9781782663737
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 298
• Editor: Jacqueline Brewer, Michael Miklaucic