Small Wars Journal

Tony M. Kail

BIO

Tony M. Kail has served as a trainer and subject matter consultant in the area of esoteric religions and security threat groups since 1990. Kail has conducted ethnographic fieldwork among a number of esoteric religious communities throughout the United States and Africa. As a former law enforcement officer, Kail has provided training for state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Capitol Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and several state investigator associations. Kail holds a university degree in cultural anthropology as well as a seminary degree in African Religious studies.  Kail is the author of a number of books, including Narco-Cults: Understanding the Use of Afro-Caribbean and Mexican Religious Cultures in the Drug Wars (CRC Press, 2015) and was a contributor to the books Blood Sacrifices: Violent Non-State Actors and Dark Magico-Religious Activities and Los Caballeros Templarios de Michoacán: Imagery, Symbolism, and Narratives. His books appear on the 2011 FBI suggested readings list on Mexican narco-cults.

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