Centrifugal Forces: Exploring the nexus of global illicit flows and local conflict dynamics

Abstract

This paper is part of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research’s Crime-Conflict Nexus Series This paper seeks to address 3 interconnected policy questions: how do global illicit flows impact on local conflict dynamics? Are there specific conceptual features that can be identified that may assist us to analyse this phenomenon across cases? by understanding these, what can be done to limit the negative impact of organised crime on violent conflict? Are new ideas required or is it only a question of recalibrating existing policy alternatives? what are the implications for international involvement in conflict affected states? Given the potential complexities of engaging in conflict spaces on what are often hidden or little understood criminal resource flows, are these even viable objectives for policy intervention, for either development or security actors? There is also a blog and a brief video interview with the authors. This research was funded under the Department for International Development’s Policy Research Fund