EFFECTS OF ILLICIT DRUG TRADE ON TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS

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Drug-related activities have become a major source of income for some terrorist groups. The income earned from drug trade helps terrorist organizations to advance their political goals as it can be used to finance all kinds of activities. However, involvement in drug trade is likely to affect organizational structure, organizational cohesion, the relations between the organization and its constituencies, and the relations between the organization and other actors (i.e. other illegal organizations, the state and international actors). This article explores the negative effects of drug trade on terrorist groups and their efforts to mitigate such effects by using information derived from open sources. Examples are given from FARC, PKK and Taliban. It is observed that these groups developed practices that help them reduce harmful effects of drug trade.However, getting stronger through drug money produces much more serious side effects on terrorist organizations’ relations with the state and international actors.

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Illicit Drug Trade , the Financing of Terrorism , FARC , PKK , Taliban

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi

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Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi