Small Wars Journal

U.S. Efforts to Combat Terrorism Financing

Thu, 08/19/2010 - 11:38am
U.S. Efforts to Combat Terrorism Financing:

Progress Made and Future Challenges

by Robert M. Guido

Download the Full Article: U.S. Efforts to Combat Terrorism Financing

The United States and the international community have made great strides against al Qaeda since September 11, and counter-terrorist financing policies will remain a vital component of future efforts. The successes in tightening and shoring up the international financial system in the post-September 11 era, however, cannot be taken for granted. Al Qaeda and its affiliates have shown remarkable resilience and an ability to structurally evolve to survive the best efforts of the international community. To maintain progress in squeezing al Qaeda's finance, governments will need to continually adapt counter-terrorist financing policies to address the simpler but untraceable methods of moving cash and assets such as hawala, and work collaboratively to combat alternative methods of finance that capitalize on the ever-present and growing field of international criminal activity.

Download the Full Article: U.S. Efforts to Combat Terrorism Financing

Robert M. Guido has served for the past four years as military legislative assistant to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He received a M.A. in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, a M.A. in International Relations from American University's School of International Service, and a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

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