Crime and Terror are not Monolithic but are Inextricably Linked

The growing nexus between gangs and terrorism has resulted in a unique type of threat. Since the 1980s, evidence of narcotics trade has been linked to terrorism and transnational organized crime.

The “Convergence of Crime and Terrorism?” seminar was held at the Potomac Institute on Nov. 21, 2013. The seminar centered on the concept that criminal activity and international security are related. Drawing from personal experiences in law enforcement, federal government, and academia, the three panelists evidenced the ways in which crime and terrorism are linked and how law enforcement can stem this issue.  The report is available for download.

Read more: New Report Examines How Criminal Activity is Linked to International Security

Inter Agency Working Group Looks at Critical Challenges to Defense, Space, Cyber, Manufacturing, Civil and Commercial Areas

Natural disasters, creative adversaries and unforeseeable futures all pose a common threat to the engineering of large complex systems that are essential to national security, economy and quality of life.

Because these systems are far more complex and interconnected than ever before, a working group of engineering leaders from a number of U.S. government agencies has been meeting to discuss the challenges and goals in moving our Nation toward the next generation of engineering research and practice.

The Potomac Institute has served as the administrator to the group in its inaugural year, managing meetings, agendas, and documentation, while providing support and input to the discussions.  Institute Research Fellow Lois Hollan is the Institute representative on the group.

Read more: Understanding Complex Engineering Systems Builds Resilience for Government, Society

Potomac Institute BOR Member and Senior Fellow Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Recognizing His Contribution to SOC

Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, USAF (Ret) spent his career determined to overcome aging aircraft and complex logistics, and his advocacy to improve SOF aerial capabilities was just one piece recognized during a Feb. 10 award ceremony.

The National Defense Industrial Association SO/LIC (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict) Division presented the DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award, one of its highest awards, Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, USAF (Ret), former Commander, AFSOC, during an annual awards banquet.

Lt. Gen. Wurster, former Commander, AFSOC, is a member of the Potomac Institute’s Board of Regents and a Senior Fellow.

Read more: Significant Career Achievements in Special Operations are Focus of Award

Special Reports, Seminar Proceedings and More Help Provide Context, Knowledge on Many Aspects of Terrorism

The pervasive nature of terrorism and the growing efforts to combat it are central topics in the recently published Volume Three of "Terrorism: An Electronic Journal & Knowledge Base."  It is available online here.

Two special reports are available through the Journal.  One is titled "International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism: The Next Phase," while the other has a regional focus - "Terrorism in North Africa and the Sahel in 2013."

The Journal also provides proceedings from four seminars in the fall, co-hosted by the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies, and the reports can be downloaded:

• Tehran's Bomb Challenge:  Crossroads, Roadblocks, and Roadmaps to Rapprochement?
• The Lone Wolf Challenge:  Past Experience and Future Outlook
• Can Counterterrorism Strategies and Democracy Co-Exist?
• Reassessing the WMD Challenges:  The Next Phase?

  Read more: Lone Wolf Terrorists, Iran's Bomb Challenge, WMD and More in Volume III of Terrorism Journal