The crime-terror-insurgency ‘nexus’: its implications for global security

The chapter discusses the impact of the relations between organised crime, terrorism and insurgency on the European and global security agenda. It is divided in three parts. In the first one, the crime–terror nexus is reconceptualized in order to understand the level of implications it poses to both the regional and global levels. It is then analyzed against additional threats, represented by insurgency, armed conflict, and weak and failed states. The investigation is based on empirical data (provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC], Uppsala Conflict Data Program [UCDP], Peace Research Institute’s [PRIO], Armed Conflict Database [ACD], and the Global Terrorism Database [GTD]). In the second part, the current set of strategies and approaches are explored through the lenses of multilateralism theories. The analysis focuses on the roles played by the United States as well as European states. The final part addresses the security strategy developed by the EU. Some conclusions on the nexus perception within the political agendas at a global level—as well as potential future perspectives—are presented at the end.