The Identification and Exploitation of Terrorist Financing

Author(s)

Jacob S. GordonFollow

Publication Date

5-12-2016

School

Helms School of Government; School of Business

Major

Business: International Business; Criminal Justice

Keywords

Terrorism, Financing, Hawala, Money Laundering, Narcotics

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Criminal Law | Finance and Financial Management | International Business | International Law | Law Enforcement and Corrections | National Security Law | Transnational Law

Recommended Citation

Gordon, Jacob S., "The Identification and Exploitation of Terrorist Financing" (2016). Senior Honors Theses. 610.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/610

Abstract

Terrorism and the threat of terrorist attacks have forced the United States to place a high priority on developing a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. A crucial component of this overarching strategy focuses on targeting the finances of a terrorist organization, hoping to eliminate or stifle their sources of funding in an effort to render the organization incapable of launching successful operations due to an absence of funding. By analyzing the most common financing options that terrorist groups use, the United States can hone its ability to disrupt the funding operations for terrorist groups. Likewise, developing a method for tracking the laundering and transference of terrorist funds should be a high priority for federal law enforcement and the Intelligence Community. The complicated methods that terrorist groups use in order to launder money and transfer funds require diligence and specialized knowledge to track, and ultimately to shut down, terrorist financing. By establishing effective methods for identifying and exploiting the terrorist financing process, the United States can more effectively counter terrorist attacks and terrorist groups around the world.