Counterterrorism and Threat Finance Analysis during Wartime

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Description

This edited volume describes various analytic methods used by intelligence analysts supporting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as members of the Iraq and Afghan Threat Finance Cellsinteragency intelligence teams tasked to disrupt terrorist and insurgent funding. All contributors have deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan and detail both the bureaucratic and intellectual challenges in understanding terrorist and insurgent finance networks and then designing operations to attack such networks via conventional military operations, Special Forces kill/capture targeting operations, and non-kinetic operations such as asset freezing or diplomacy. The analytic methods described here leverage both quantitative and qualitative methods, but in a language and style accessible to those without a quantitative background. All methods are demonstrated via actual case studies (approved for release by the U.S. government) drawn from the analysts distinct experiences while deployed. This book will be of interest to current or aspiring intelligence analysts, students of security studies, anti-money laundering specialists in the private sector, and more generally to those interested in understanding how intelligence analysis feeds into live operations during wartime at a very tactical level.

Reviews

In one of the few books on the subject, Counterterrorism and Threat Finance Analysis during Wartime, J. Edward Conway argues that it is a mistake to think that the imperative to deploy civilian analysts to combat zones is fast diminishing. . . .[This book] is an excellent addition to the already existing literature on the subject. The hands-on experience and knowledge of the editors makes it a must-read for all experts and students of terrorism-related subjects. It should be a required reading for all counter threat finance analysts. * The Washington BookReview *
The threat finance discipline required a consolidated primer for those new to the field, and now it exists. This book is engaging and the contributing authors experiences as forward deployed threat finance analysts, clearly helped them develop and refine the methodologies outlined in these chapters. The next generation of threat finance analysts wont have to learn through trial and error, but now have proven techniques to accelerate their effectiveness in supporting our countrys efforts to identify and disrupt the financial networks that are the lifeblood of every terrorist organization. Moreover, the methodologies in this book can be dual use weapons in the fight to defend the country and protect the financial system. They are not only relevant to the military and intelligence communities, but can be applied to the field of private sector compliance as well. -- Kirk E. Meyer, Founding Director, Afghanistan Threat Finance Cell
This much-needed volume captures and clearly explains the lessons learned from a decade's worth of threat finance activity. Each of the authors were, or still are, battlefield practitioners in this discipline, and now have made an academic contribution to match their achievements in the field. This work lays the intellectual foundations for tactics, techniques, policies, and doctrine for future threat finance activitiesit is a must read for anyone in the business. -- Steven Kiser, former DoD co-lead, Iraq Threat Finance Cell
Much has been written about the war of ideas in counterterrorism, but this book considers the problem as a war of resources. By focusing on threat finance analysis, it provides an important primer for intelligence scholars and practitioners. Detailed case studies also fill an important gap for current strategists and future historians of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. -- Joshua Rovner, Director, Security and Strategy Program, Southern Methodist University

Author Bio

David M. Blum is an operations research analyst for the U.S. Air Force serving as a civilian member of the Air Staff. He received his PhD in management science and engineering from Stanford University. J. Edward Conway is a senior manager for a multinational advisory firm, where he focuses on corporate intelligence. A former analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense, he received his PhD in international relations from the University of St Andrews in Scotland.