The entangled threat of crime, corruption, and terrorism now deserves high-level policy attention because of its growth trajectory. Using lively case studies, this book analyzes the transformation of crime and terrorism and the business logic of terrorism. Louise I. Shelley concludes that corruption, crime, and terrorism will remain important security challenges in the twenty-first century as a result of economic and demographic inequalities in the world, the rise of ethnic and sectarian violence, climate change, the growth of technology, and the failure of nineteenth- and twentieth-century institutions to respond to these challenges when they emerged.

'Through examples, current and past, Louise Shelley provides a much needed understanding of the relationship among crime, corruption and terrorism, especially the sophistication of non-state actors and terrorists as they operate globally, exploiting technology and global systems. She demonstrates the diverse and damaging impacts to health, poverty, inequality and the planet’s sustainability, as well as the perpetuation of social destabilization and conflicts. The importance of strong law enforcement, state institutions, and transparent financial institutions in pre- and post-conflict state building becomes apparent to prevent and address this devastating situation. This exceptional book is a must-read for policy makers, public and business leaders, members of the justice system, and university professors and students in most disciplines.'

Huguette Labelle - Chair, Transparency International

'Louise Shelley is one of the world’s foremost experts on the interplay of transnational criminals, corrupt governments and terrorists. In this book she combines pioneering research and rigorous analysis to shed light on the ways in which crime and politics combine in the twenty-first century to challenge us with a bewildering array of threats. Dirty Entanglements is an important book that will become an obligatory reference in this field. A must-read.'

Moisés Naím - Scholar, Carnegie Endowment and author of Illicit and The End of Power

'A thoughtful, comprehensive, and powerful account of the pernicious effects of state corruption and how it contributes to crime and terrorism - which, in turn, impose huge costs on legitimate economies, as well as on security, development and quality of life for many citizens around the globe. Louise Shelley draws on a lifetime of study of ‘dirty entanglements’ and extensive research in the regions most afflicted by corruption, crime and terrorism. And her conclusions persuasively argue that corruption, crime and terrorism are not the problems of just fragile states and the less-developed world, but problems that ultimately affect all parts of our globalized world.'

General David H. Petraeus - US Army (Retired)

'Professor Shelley’s book is riveting. All books that I have read on organized crime and terrorism pay lip service to corruption as a key factor, but only in the sense of lamenting the problem. Professor Shelley is to be congratulated on articulating how corruption, organized crime and terrorism are integral to one another. Security policy makers the world over have persistently underplayed the role of corruption in security failures, at both the policy and organizational levels. Reading this book is the way to understand corruption as a central operational factor in the growth of organized crime and terrorism.'

Mark Pyman - Director, Defence and Security Counter-Corruption Programme, Transparency International UK

'This timely book has major relevancy in our current security environment and is a must read for anyone interested criminal justice and security studies.'

Nicole K. Drumhiller Source: Journal of Strategic Security

'A major strength of the book is that it is supported by extensive field research. It is based on interviews with individuals who have conducted detailed investigations of crime and terrorism or held high-level policy positions in their countries or in multinational organizations … Those who are interested to understand some of the major problems of today’s world should read Shelly’s Dirty Entanglements – Corruption, Crime and Terrorism.'

Mokbul Morshed Ahmad - Academic Council on the United Nations System