convergence

“Throughout my years in government combating illicit networks of all kinds,
including terrorist groups, groups that traffic in women and weapons of mass
destruction precursors, organized cyber-criminal cartels, and narcotics syndicates,
I was struck by how often different networks overlapped, a phenomenon that has
only increased with time. The converged threats that pose the greatest danger to
national security today require integrated responses that bring together disparate
elements of government both domestically and internationally. Convergence
provides research-driven insight and concrete and practical recommendations for
how governments can best confront these emerging threats.”
—Richard A. Clarke
Chairman, Good Harbor Security Risk Management
Former U.S. National Coordinator for Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Counterterrorism
“There are regrettably few studies that take a holistic look at the overlapping
scourge of illicit networks. There are even fewer that examine the national security
threats they represent. Convergence is an excellent contribution aimed at filling
these twin gaps. Miklaucic and Brewer have brought together an insightful,
engaging collection of articles written by those on the frontlines of cutting-edge
research. They are to be applauded for avoiding the typical siloed approach to
targeting the challenge and making concrete recommendations for how the
international community, led by the United States, should fight back.”
—Scott Carpenter
Deputy Director, Google Ideas
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
“In one eye-popping example after another, Convergence shows how shadowy,
illicit networks have exploited globalization to commandeer the world economy
and subvert state sovereignty around the globe. By adapting the latest information
technology, infiltrating global supply chains and banking systems, and exploiting
the world’s conflict zones, transnational criminal groups have become the first-tier
threat to international order and U.S. national security. Combating this scourge,
the authors of this invaluable volume suggest, will require creating a parallel ‘licit’
network of national authorities and multilateral institutions that can map illicit
trafficking networks and crack down on the facilitators, money launderers, and
logistical hubs on which they rely.”
—Stewart Patrick
Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations