The instability in Afghanistan is targeted with an integrated and synchronized two-part approach. The first part targets opium cultivation in Afghanistan, the illicit distribution of that opium, and the fact that terr... more abstractThe instability in Afghanistan is targeted with an integrated and synchronized two-part approach. The first part targets opium cultivation in Afghanistan, the illicit distribution of that opium, and the fact that terrorist groups like al-Qa’ida ,the Taliban, and the Haqqani Network, as well as other threat networks benefit from the opium grown in Afghanistan. The second part utilizes focused international diplomacy. The model has clear objectives, measures of performance, and measures of effectiveness. Although this is the appropriate way forward for Afghanistan, the resiliency of the Afghan Government, abilities of Afghan security forces, and the presidential election in the United States will determine whether or not the method is employed and determine the efficacy of the methodology.

Peace and Conflict Studies, Terrorism, Middle East Studies, Drugs And Addiction, Afghanistan, and 5 more

Two case studies are used in a contrast and comparative manner to illustrate the decision making processes in different parts of the world and to highlight the inherent flaws in the once defunct, twice revitalized, th... more abstractTwo case studies are used in a contrast and comparative manner to illustrate the decision making processes in different parts of the world and to highlight the inherent flaws in the once defunct, twice revitalized, three times suspended concept of the human terrain. The first decision making process represents the socio-cultural, economic, and religious characteristics often encountered in Asia. The second process is based on the socio-cultural, economic, and religious features typically utilized in the West and European countries. The terms Asia, West, and European are not defined. The case studies and argument support a conclusive analysis of the concept of the human terrain at the National Security Council level. Keywords: socio-cultural, human terrain, hybrid, asymmetric, irregular warfare, and waste and mismanagement.

Military Intelligence, Terrorism, Intelligence Studies, Intelligence, Afghanistan, and 5 more

The opinions of six government officials and nine prominent authors were examined in the context of a literature review. The intent of the review was to determine the most prevalent challenges that leaders in intellig... more abstractThe opinions of six government officials and nine prominent authors were examined in the context of a literature review. The intent of the review was to determine the most prevalent challenges that leaders in intelligence organizations, in the United States, face today and will face over the next five years. The opinions of the authors and government officials were gleamed from a search and review of multiple online sources. Several reoccurring challenges emerged during the analysis. The challenges that were mentioned the most were new threats or emerging threats such as terrorism; technological challenges; and third, management challenges and staff performance challenges. The conceptualization for terrorism was not mentioned in any of the sources, perhaps indicating a lack of understanding.

Terrorism, International Law, Strategic Management, Political Violence and Terrorism, and Business Intelligence

The following is an analysis of a recent conference held by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists in Hong Kong. Five educational aspects of the conference were scrutinized; i.e. the speakers a... more abstractThe following is an analysis of a recent conference held by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists in Hong Kong. Five educational aspects of the conference were scrutinized; i.e. the speakers and panelists, or instructors; the types and amount of information presented; the attendees or students; how information was presented; and the spillover between the four previously mentioned areas and the teaching learning environment. The main deficiency was the lack of a definitive conceptualization for terrorism and counter terrorism financing. As a result the curriculum had gaps of knowledge that generated teaching and learning flaws. Institutionalization of a valid conceptualization would help to negate the observed flaws.

Southeast Asian Studies, Terrorism, Anti money laundering and Terrorist Financing, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism

This document is the narrative for a United States Office of the Inspector General complaint focused on the waste and mismanagement of funds for terrorism studies. Terrorism studies is defined as the research and deve... more abstractThis document is the narrative for a United States Office of the Inspector General complaint focused on the waste and mismanagement of funds for terrorism studies. Terrorism studies is defined as the research and development of doctrine, classes, courseware, and other educational products for irregular threats, irregular warfare, anti-terrorism, counterterrorism, combatting terrorism, counterinsurgency, stability operations, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, and counterterrorism financing. The complaint involves two Intelligence Programs, several offices, bureaus, and departments, and the Armed Forces. The hybrid nature of terrorism, the size of the Intelligence Community, and the fact that no single entity is responsible for terrorism studies are the reasons for the mismanagement and waste.

Terrorism, Insurgency/Counterinsurgency(COIN), Irregular Warfare, Counter terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime, and 8 more

Terrorism, Intelligence, Insurgency, and Peace and Stability Operations

The author performed a meta-analysis on White House, Department of Defense, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security documents with the intent of developing an integrated cross domain curriculum for te... more abstractThe author performed a meta-analysis on White House, Department of Defense, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security documents with the intent of developing an integrated cross domain curriculum for terrorism, counterterrorism, and irregular threats. Three incongruent strategies were found; one for transnational organized crime; another for irregular threats; and yet another based on a security framework. The first is wasteful, incomplete, and impractical. The second is realistic and well-defined. The third lacks conceptual content and is therefore unclear. If an integrated curriculum for terrorism, counterterrorism, and irregular warfare were developed it would have institutional gaps, gaps of knowledge, and lack synchronization across educational, organizational, and operational domains.

Terrorism, Political Violence and Terrorism, Insurgency/Counterinsurgency(COIN), Irregular Warfare, Insurgency, and 2 more

Intelligence, Political Violence and Terrorism, Insurgency/Counterinsurgency(COIN), Peace and Stability Operations, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Terrorism, Intelligence, Insurgency/Counterinsurgency(COIN), Irregular Warfare, Peace and Stability Operations, and 1 more