The Evolution of Al Qaeda's Financial Network

This paper examines the financial networks of al Qaeda and its affiliates, which remain significant threats a decade after the September 11th attacks. The thesis examines how al Qaeda has evolved in the face of U.S. and international counter-financing efforts from charities and donors to rely extensively on illicit activities, including narcotics smuggling and kidnapping for ransom. It examines the formal and informal methods of moving funds. It also examines the financial and operational relationships between al Qaeda Central and its affiliates, and it details U.S. and international efforts to combat al Qaeda's financial network. The findings of the paper indicate that although counter-financing pressure has caused al Qaeda to evolve, its transformation towards illicit and informal methods of raising and moving funds has exposed a glaring weakness in counter-financing efforts that has allowed many of its affiliates to raise substantial sums of money to maintain and expand operations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Warbinton, Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrei Shoumikhin

• terrorism
• financing
• al Qaeda
• operational structure
• affiliates
• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © Robert Warbinton

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1379

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2380