Accession Number:

ADA505004

Title:

Countering Threat Finance as a Critical Subset of Irregular Warfare: An Interpretive Case Study of Northern Nigeria

Descriptive Note:

Monograph

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Bowman, III, Clarence W.

Report Date:

2009-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

68.0

Abstract:

Islamist violent extremists VE and violent extremist organizations VEO require a broad range of material, social, and financial support to organize, train, conduct operations, and sustain their ideologies and terroristinsurgent endeavors. There are several geographic regions and states in the world that are distinctly conducive to supporting Islamist VEs and VEOs, however only a portion of these have direct strategic significance to U.S. interests and national security. The West African country of Nigeria represents one of these strategic states and concurrently exists as an international and regional VE and VEO resource base and safe haven. Northern Nigeria is particularly significant to Islamist VEO financing due to the socio-political and socioeconomic conditions and widespread corruption and criminality there. This research presents a case study of northern Nigerias support of VEs and VEOs. The objectives of the research are to explore the dynamic of threat financing that supports Islamist violent extremists and extremist organizations in northern Nigeria, offer insight into existing and potential conditions that are conducive to threat financing, and highlight existing information gaps regarding Nigerian-based VEOs that may serve as accelerators for international foreign terrorist organizations andor their resource networks. It highlights the need for a U.S. interagency approach to the situation that utilizes irregular warfare methods, direct and indirect interventions, and partner state capacity building. The research concludes with recommendations for the U.S. interagency process, USAFRICOM, and USSOCOM to initiate, operationalize, and sustain long-term counter threat financing efforts with Nigeria.

Descriptors:

• *TERRORISTS
• *ASYMMETRIC WARFARE
• *INTERVENTION
• *INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
• *ORGANIZATIONS
• *NIGERIA
• *FINANCE
• LIVING STANDARDS
• WEST AFRICA
• CRIMINAL CORRUPTION
• SOCIAL WELFARE
• COUNTERTERRORISM
• CASE STUDIES
• THREATS
• GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN)
• ECONOMICS
• UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Government and Political Science
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE