Are terrorist organisations political actors aiming to reshape the world, or criminal enterprises chasing profit? Can ideology and criminality coexist in these groups — and how do they finance their operations? This conference, hosted by the MCC Migration Research Institute and the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, will explore the intersection between terrorism and organised crime.
The conference seeks to explore these complex questions by examining the methods, objectives, and operational strategies of terrorist organisations. It invites a critical comparison between ideologically driven groups — such as the IRA, Hezbollah, and Al-Shabaab — and criminal syndicates like the ‘Ndrangheta, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Yakuza. Are there significant overlaps in their structures, tactics, or financial operations, or do their core characteristics remain fundamentally distinct?
To foster a more nuanced understanding, the conference will focus on three central research questions:
- How do terrorist organisations finance their activities?
- What business models underpin their operations?
- Under what circumstances do terrorist groups engage in illicit economic activities?
By addressing these questions, the event, organized by MCC Migration Research Institute and University of St Andrews Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, aims to bridge the gap between political violence and organised crime studies, offering new insights into the intersections of ideology, strategy, and profit in contemporary terrorism.
Date: 15 May 2025 | Thursday
Venue: Scruton MCC, 3-7 Tas vezér Street, 1113 Budapest, Hungary