The Non-State Update: December 26, 2014

Welcome to this weekend’s Non-State Update. We here at D&TB hope that you have been enjoying this holiday season. If you need some articles on non-state actors to get you through the weekend, though, we’re here to oblige. Below is a list of some of the best news and analysis pieces from the week, just in time for the weekend break. Like the rest of Drugs and Thugs Blog, the topics addressed are terrorism, insurgency, transnational criminal organizations, and narcotics trafficking. 

Is the UN Sure it Wants Mexican Soldiers Keeping the Peace?: First off, an article from Ioan Grillo at Global Post on the recent decision to use Mexican military as international peacekeepers. Because of their role in human rights abuses during the Mexican drug war over the past decade, there are concerns with their deployment abroad. 

The US-led Push to Bankrupt the Islamic State Isn’t Working: From Jamila Trindle at Foreign Policy, a report on the FATF’s (Financial Action Task Force) investigation on ISIS finances. Although ISIS oil income has been diminished by airstrikes over the past few months, their more organized crime-like activities remain difficult to combat with traditional financial tools. 

After Peshawar, Expect Business as Usual in Pakistan: At War on the Rocks, an article by C. Christine Fair on the implications for Pakistani intelligence after the Peshawar massacre earlier this month. Pakistan may be committed to destroying the TTP, but their continued reliance on Laskar-e-Taiba and other Islamist organizations is contradictory at best. This is a great article. Fair even works the phrase “scrotal fortitude” into the discussion. 

Islamic State in the Sinai: At the Line of Steel blog, a detailed piece by Caleb Weiss on the Wilayat Sinai and its role in ISIS. Although the scope of Wilayat Sinai is limited, it should be concerning, especially if other groups jihadist groups pledge their support to ISIS. This could be the beginning of a sea change in allegiance from al-Qaeda to ISIS for local jihadist groups. 

Colombia May be on the Verge of Peace: At Slate’s The World blog, Juliana Jimenez Jaramillo has an article on the recent FARC unilateral ceasefire and what it means for the conflict in Colombia. Although there are many obstacles to overcome, the ceasefire could be indicative of an approaching peace in the country for the first time in decades. 

Montenegro: US Indicts 3 For Selling Guns to Colombian Rebels: From OCCRP’s news feed, a report on the recent indictment of two Romanians and a former Italian parliamentarian on charges of selling heavy arms to the FARC. The individuals made the deal with undercover US agents, but still demonstrates the global sweep of arms trafficking. 

Yemen’s Houthi Takeover: At the Middle East Institute, April Longley Alley has a great piece on the Houthi movement and its role in the Yemeni political process. Yemen has occupied an odd place in the years following the Arab Spring of 2011, as it has been a battleground between the Houthis, AQAP, and the post-Saleh government. Yemen is easily the most interesting, but least reported on story of the year, and Alley’s article is excellent. 

SIMI Takes Page from al-Qaeda Financial Playbook: From Money Jihad, a short post on the Student Islamic Movement of India’s use of an old al-Qaeda handbook on financial tactics. Although certain topics might still be relevant, it is surprisingly that a handbook written over a decade ago could be useful in today’s financial system. 

Boko Haram Fighters Storm Nigerian Village, Kidnap Over 100 Women and Children: Laura Grossman at The Long War Journal has a news report on developments with Boko Haram in Nigeria. After a raid in Gumsuri, the insurgent group appears to have taken many individuals, despite a local defense armed with machine guns. Although Boko Haram has been mentioned less frequently in major news services since the Chibok kidnappings earlier this year, they remain a concern for Nigerian and broader African security. 

Terrorist Financing and the Islamic State: And finally, a podcast worth downloading. The Loopcast had Matthew Levitt on last week to discuss ISIS financing, as well as the policy tools available to counter it. Money matters, and Levitt clearly outlines the major issues that are involved in financing ISIS.  

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the weekend. 

For comments, thoughts, concerns, criticism, or submissions to D&TB, please comment below, email me at conormlarkin@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter @ConorMLarkin.