Introduction xiii
Volume 1: Types of Transnational Crime
Determining the topics for Volume 1 was not easily accomplished. At
least 50 activities fall under the broad umbrella of transnational crime
(Council on Foreign Relations, 2013). They range from arms trafficking
to video-game counterfeiting. Our approach was to narrow the field by
determining the categories of transnational crime we wanted covered.
Borrowing somewhat from Albanese (2011), we identified our three parts
as: Provision of Illicit Goods, Provision of Illicit Services, and Crimes Af-
fecting Stability. We then recruited authors known to have expertise in
transnational crimes falling into each of the three categories. The result is
six examples of crimes that are best described as providing illicit goods,
six examples of crimes that provide illicit services, and three examples
of crimes or criminal behavior that affect stability. In this way, we can
cover transnational crimes that are more familiar (e.g., maritime piracy
and human trafficking) and others that are less well known (e.g., wildlife
crime and weaponization of infectious diseases).
Volume 2: Security Implications of Transnational Crime
Our approach to chapters for Volume 2 was also directed by three
themes that we wanted to investigate: Understanding Transnational
Crime, Consequences of Transnational Crime, and Responding to Trans-
national Crime. By using these categories to frame our coverage of the
security implications of transnational crime, chapter contributors are able
to offer contemporary insight and emerging perspectives on the conflu-
ence of transnational crime and security. The result is a fascinating group-
ing of chapter topics unique to this work. Ranging from suggestions for
researching and measuring transnational crime, through such issues as
dealing with returning foreign terrorist fighters, and concluding with de-
scriptions of current and proposed responses to transnational crime, the
chapters in Volume 2 make clear the need for attention to the global and
domestic security implications of combatting and preventing this dark
side of globalization. The interesting array of topics presented in this vol-
ume show the very serious consequences of transnational crime but also
make clear that effective action is possible—especially when collaboration
occurs.
SUGGESTIONS FOR USE
Security and transnational crime is a focus for individual nations, re-
gions, and the global community. Whether attention is concentrated on
a particular type of transnational crime such as human trafficking or il-
licit drugs, or on broader concerns of transnational crime generally, the
security issues related to preventing and combatting transnational crime
