Small Wars Journal

DOD Center Summons Pros to Examine Illicit Trafficking, More

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 9:34pm

DOD Center Summons Pros to Examine Illicit Trafficking, More by Christine June,  George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies

A new course that delves into combating a growing problem threatening the security of countries and regions throughout the world debuts March 31 at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies here.

The Program on Countering Narcotics and Illicit Trafficking debuts a two-week resident program that focuses on 21st century national security threats as a result of criminal activities, said the program’s co-directors, professors Steven Monaco and Joseph Vann.

Monaco has 21 years of experience as a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and regional law enforcement adviser for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Vann has 27 years of experience a special agent of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

“There is a growing recognition that transnational organized crime is growing in size and influence in a world increasingly marked with globalization and diminishing importance of borders,” Monaco said. “Transnational organized crime surges into gaps of opportunities and is, frankly, threatening governments.” …

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