Topic:

This student proposes the topic, "US Policies on Transnational Crimes: Illicit Drug Trafficking and Cyber-Laundering" for his Capstone paper.

Research Question:

Are there vulnerabilities in current US Government policies targeting transnational crime on illicit drug trafficking and cyber-laundering that will increase homeland security threats from terrorist organizations?

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of this paper is to explore US Government policies targeting illicit drug trafficking and cyber-laundering while identifying  vulnerabilities within the policies (if any) and its impact on threats from terrorist organizations. Transnational crime, narcotics, and terrorism financing are not geographical concerns. All three can be linked specifically by having potential effect across national borders. Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) has established a significant and increasing threat to national and international security, with dire implications for public safety, public health, democratic institutions, and economic stability across the globe (Finckenauer 2006). The US Government have many Presidential Directives (PD) and policies that target these areas, but are they really having an impact? Without a shadow of a doubt, drug trafficking has resulted in funding that has supported terrorism and in some cases such as the Madrid bombing, drugs were being utilized as the currency. (Filipowski 2008, 15) The same scenario can happen in any small or large city in America. US Government policies must be able to compliment or supplement other Nations policies in the fight against transnational crime. Because of varies religious beliefs and political views of western nations, the tasking will be equivalent to finding a cotton ball in the field of snow.

2. Cybercrime is such a lucrative criminal adventure because anyone can be anyone and anywhere in a digital environment. The utilization of electronic funding transactions domestically and or internationally can create difficult detective efforts for any government, not just the US. In a world where there appear to be an increase in ordinary criminals, extremist groups, and or terrorist organizations seeking to conduct their business through cyber means, US policies must be specific to be effective. Additionally, policies must not infringe upon civil liberties that may expose an area of opportunity for terrorist threats. Despite US initiatives to combat transnational crimes, the relationship between transnational crime, narcotics, and terrorism financing seemingly has continued to expand. (Filipowski 2008, 14) Methodology and Research Design:

The quantitative methodology approach to this research establishes a frame of questions that is relative to the theory. Conducting an in-depth, comprehensive quantitative data analysis and bridging a literature-based research that clearly display the contributions of supporting pieces of analysis to the overall study is imperative. The means to accomplish a clear and concise research will include historical and comparative analysis. Analyzing historical US policies and the effects of those policies will establish facts that will support the conclusion of this research.

Additionally, comparing past policies to current policies will parallel situations in the present to identify possible vulnerabilities in current US Government policies targeting transnational crime on illicit drug trafficking and cyber-laundering that will increase homeland security threats from terrorist organizations. The analogy is to identify and confirm the direct relationship of cause and effect related to US policies, illicit drug trafficking and cyber-laundering.