NATIONAL SECURITY

Transnational Threats to U.S. National Security

Abstract

In October 1995, President Clinton issued Presidential Directive (PDD), which declared international organized crime as a serious threat to national security and economy of the United States. In 1997, U.S. Representative Henry Hyde, articulated concerns about a new threat to Congress during the legal hearings on crime and international terrorism. Transnational crimes have become an important source of revenue for terrorists and illegal entities. Conflict intervention and peace agreements are much more difficult to achieve when the opposing forces have the resources to keep fighting. Moreover, the establishment of democratic institutions through programs of assistance to nations in peacekeeping operations requires more time when organized crime undermine the rule of law through various forms of corruption and violence. This paper aims at discussing the concept of transnational crimes along with its impact on the U.S. national security. Moreover, the steps taken in this regard by the present government and security organizations are also elaborated.

Transnational Threats to U.S. National Security

Introduction

Transnational organized crime has grown at an unprecedented rate during the last decade. International trade agreements like the Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and multilateral agreements in Europe and Asia have open borders and trade around the world. International trade in the U.S. alone is twice the volume of which was in 1994. Consequently, trade has increased and the control on international border has decreased. This has also led to the exponential growth and smuggling of illicit drugs, weapons, women, children, diamonds, minerals and other raw materials. In addition, advances in telecommunications, information technology, and international finance have facilitated the flow of information and capital across international borders. Although the impact of globalization on the poor is still under debate, there is wide disagreement about how transnational criminals have prospered in the new global economy.

Unlike a conventional ground force, transnational criminals adapt quickly to the changes in the environment (GAO, 2003). If excessive pressure is placed on a criminal enterprise, the organization usually finds a way to eliminate the source of pressure and stress. Moreover, whenever there is demand for illegal goods or services, criminals create new markets and systems to meet the new requirements. This is particularly applicable to criminal enterprises that are motivated by profit or greed. This makes the criminal capitalist enterprises unpredictable and constantly changing. Any change in the nature of organized crime further complicates the development of effective law enforcement and security strategies.

These organizations have as a modus operandi, a central management and control, a group of assassins and their high use of financial power (Levitt, 2009). They appear as a generic organization supported by corporate organizational structures with their own security forces, communications systems, highly modern weapons, transportation, safe houses and other types of facilities. Among the organizations of organized crime includes The Mafia China, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation in Brazil Organized Crime, Organized Crime in Argentina and Guatemala, the Yakusa, the Shining Path, Russian Organized Crime, and others.

Factors Responsible for Transnational Crimes

Motivation is a powerful influence ...