Transnational Crime as a National Security Threat Since the Early 1990s

comprehensive presentation covers emerging and growing dangers as well as their hazards. Additionally, it discusses the aftermath of the Cold War by examining political uncertainty and economic turmoil faced by the Soviet Union during the 1990s, which had worldwide repercussions.

The concept of 'transnational crime' has been present since the mid-1970s when the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch first used it to describe criminal activities that cross international borders or violate laws in multiple states. The identified categories back then included organized crime, white-collar crime, corruption, crimes related to works of art and culture, criminal activities linked to alcohol and drug abuse, violence with transnational or international implications, and crimes associated with migration or displacement due to natural disasters or hostilities. Different strategies have been adopted to combat these illicit practices.

The Secretariat added 18 new categories of transnational crime in 1994. These crimes involve illegal activities across multiple countries, including money laundering, drug trafficking, corruption, illicit trafficking of arms and persons, terrorist activities, and other forms of organized criminal group crimes. The growth rate of transnational organized crime remains significant despite efforts to eliminate it. This is due to the varying networks in structure, strength, size, geographical range and diversity of operations involved. In December 2005, the United States ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime with a broad definition aimed at tackling these issues.

N. defines organized crime as a group of at least three individuals who collaborate for an extended period with the goal of carrying out one or more serious crimes or offenses in order to obtain financial or other gain, whether directly or indirectly.

Some argue that the roots of

transnational crime are not unique, as they share similarities with the factors driving general crime, such as poverty and desperation contributing to both migration and trafficking. The illegal trade of goods and services across different countries is another factor in generating transnational crime. Criminal activity driven by the desire for power and money has always existed, with smuggling being a common tactic used to evade laws. However, modern transnational crime is more widespread and deadly than before, making infiltration increasingly difficult.

Both the US Department of State and R acknowledge that transnational organized crime is akin to cancer in its capacity for global proliferation. Its damaging impact includes subverting democracy, disrupting open markets, and impeding the progress of stable societies. Henceforth, criminal groups at both national and international levels pose a security hazard to all nations.

According to James Woolsey, a former CIA Director, certain governments are facing obstacles both domestically and internationally due to the proliferation of organized crime. This includes various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, links between drug traffickers and terrorists, smuggling of illegal immigrants, large-scale financial fraud in banking systems, arms smuggling, potential involvement in nuclear material theft and sale, political coercion and corruption. All these crimes create a dangerous combination that could be just as deadly as what was faced during the Cold War. However, despite advancements in technology, immigration trends and communication advances make it difficult to determine the extent of these crimes due their covert nature. Nonetheless, by the end of the 20th century emerged this new phenomenon: the simultaneous globalization of crime , terror ,and corruption - an "unholy trinity" present globally.

In both impoverished regions of Latin America

and Africa as well as affluent areas of Europe, corrupt practices facilitate criminal activity. Criminal networks collaborate with terrorist organizations to commit illegal acts across various regions such as West Africa's regional conflicts, former Soviet Union, and Western European prisons. Scholars propose that this phenomenon is influenced by three interconnected factors: economic globalization which enhances interaction between citizens, corporations, and foreign entities; the end of the Cold War leading to economic integration that expands opportunities for illicit cross-border transactions.

The increase in immigrant populations has presented new obstacles for security and law enforcement due to the existence of distinct social and commercial networks. Additionally, criminal activity has been able to extend into different markets thanks to advancements in technology and global communication. The conclusion of the Cold War and consequent collapse of the Soviet Union resulted in an identity crisis within international relations and strategic studies; consequently, many nations have needed to adjust their understanding of "security," given that their prior comprehension was grounded exclusively on their connections with superpowers during the Cold War.

Although super-power confrontation has reduced, there has been a rise in regional conflicts since the late 1980s. The end of the Cold War did not eliminate armed conflict but actually increased the likelihood of military strife, as seen in brutal hostilities in former Yugoslavia. Furthermore, it is recognized that weak states enable transnational crime. After the Soviet Union's fall in 1991, Russia and other independent states were fragile and became havens for organized crime throughout the 1990s.

According to intelligence reports, criminal groups in Russia have expanded their operations amid political uncertainty and economic devastation. It is estimated that the Russian Mafia comprises 100,000

members who are affiliated with 8,000 hierarchical crime groups. They reportedly control between 70-80% of all private businesses and around 40% of the nation's wealth. Many of these criminals are believed to be former Soviet Army or ex-KGB officers who lost their positions after the Cold War. Sterling C., an expert on organized crime, argues that various opportunities presented themselves after the Cold War that allowed criminals from all over the world to engage in illicit activities within post-communist Russia. These opportunities included lowered economic and political barriers, establishment of fragile new democracies, advances in technology that made global communication and transport easier, as well as the end of communist regimes.

Although western governments viewed Russia as a failed state, criminal syndicates perceived it as a promising land. This viewpoint attracted an influx of criminal immigrants who were subsequently exploited by Russian criminal groups. After the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, these organizations expanded their illegal operations worldwide by networking with fellow immigrants and engaging in unlawful activities with ease. Consequently, sizable communities settled in nations like the United States, Germany, and Israel - each performing distinct roles for Russian-speaking gangs' illicit deeds.

The growth of transnational crime has been significantly impacted by the end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union. Criminal organizations, such as the Russian Mafia, have contributed to this rise. In his February 1997 state of the nation address, President Boris Yeltsin acknowledged that corruption was present at every level of power and that the criminal world openly challenged the state. This creates a unique challenge for law enforcement agencies worldwide as these organized crime groups engage

in various transnational activities. For example, they participate in money laundering across Cyprus, Vanuatu, and Venezuela; operate car theft rings in Europe; conduct financial scams in New York; and even plot assassinations against businessmen like Paul Tatum in Moscow. The extensive global reach of Russian organized crime networks includes connections to Colombian and Nigerian drug lords as well as involvement with Italian mafia groups for narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Transnational crime has experienced a notable surge due to the conclusion of the Cold War and downfall of the Soviet Union. Presently, 200 major Eurasian criminal groups have established a global presence by collaborating with criminals from 50 nations, including 26 American cities. It should be noted that such illicit activities existed even before glasnost and perestroika.

According to Rosner's theory from 1993, Russia has long struggled with crime and corruption due to the communist system's promotion of state ownership. Despite bribery and corruption being present during the czarist reign, they have been a persistent part of Russian society. However, post-Cold War transnational crime now poses a new danger to global safety. Although the end of the Cold War had a significant impact on peace and security worldwide, it was not entirely responsible for the rise in transnational crime.

Undoubtedly, the attainment of this result has been supported by several factors such as a reduction in economical and political obstacles, the collapse of communist administrations and subsequent emergence of unsteady democracies, a rise in legitimate worldwide commerce, and progressions in global communication and transportation technology.