Extreme close-up: German film brings the spread of neo-Nazi gangs into focus

background to the recent discovery of an unpleasant neo-Nazi "terrorist" group in Germany. Partly reviews a film, partly discusses realities in former East Germany. Maybe Merkel has stuff nearer home to sort out, as well as Greece?

Mexico's drug war has brought terrifying violence to the streets and taken a dreadful toll of lives

Cautionary tale for West Africa as Kofi Annan calls for Western intervention [see previous post]. "Mexico's drug war is inextricably linked to the democratic transition". Extract from Ioao Grillo's book "El Narco: the Bloody Rise of Mexican drug cartels.

Save West Africa from the drugs barons

Article in Observer by Kofi Annan. 3 dangers: corruption; Drug gangs linking with existing organised crime and even terrorists; health of locals. To the point.

Fascination with the 'Dutch godfather'

Rare piece in English discussing at least one player in Dutch organised crime.

Five arrested in Milan during a police operation against the 'Ndrangheta

Five men - three of which corrupted members of the Finance Guards - were arrested in Milan during a police operation coordinated by the prosecutor Ilda Boccassini.

New date for Rome conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

Transnational Organized Crime: Italian Connections

Bilingual Conference (English and Italian)

The American University of Rome
Department of International Relations

23-24 November, 2012


Keynote Speakers:

Professor Nando Dalla Chiesa, University of Milan

Professor Diego Gambetta, European University Institute


The American University of Rome's Department of International Relations will be hosting a two-day international conference focusing on Italy’s current roles within transnational organized crime networks and the on-going attempts to weaken these through legislation, enforcement and grassroots activism.

The conference aims to provide a forum for academics, policymakers and operators in the field to discuss issues of common concern. There is a constant need both to examine the evolving social contexts within which organized crime operates and to evaluate the political, economic and social costs of the globalization of this phenomenon in a country which has a long history of powerful mafias with their own international ramifications. There is a large amount of research on Italy’s crime groups and growing scholarship on the transnational dimensions of the phenomenon. At the same time, political and law enforcement agencies which have to deal with the issues directly produce operational and policymaking material. The opportunities for the different fields to learn about the others and discuss issues and solutions are relatively rare; this initiative seeks to fill this gap and encourage a dialogue.

We particularly invite contributions that relate to one or more of the following themes and which focus on the international dimensions. Papers should present original research and analysis.

• Debates on defining organized crime in Italy
• Methodologies for studying TOC and its effects
• Globalization and ‘liquidity’ of Italian mafia operations
• Transplantation of foreign groups in Italy
• Political connections, clientelism and corruption
• Ties to terrorism
• Money laundering and the legal economy
• ‘Gray’ economies
• Human smuggling and trafficking through and to Italy
• Art crime, fashion and culture industries
• Waste removal and disposal
• Environmental crimes and impacts
• Drugs routes and markets
• Fakes and contraband
• Arms trafficking
• Legal frameworks, national and international
• Current policy approaches
• Italy’s judicial system
• Enforcement agencies, policing and surveillance
• Civil society responses
• The ‘anti-mafia’ economy

The conference will be held in English and Italian.
We hope to publish selected papers and are currently seeking a publisher.

Proposals (c. 300 words and a short biographical note) are invited from both established and unpublished scholars and practitioners and should be sent to Isabella Clough Marinaro and James Walston at:

TOC@aur.edu

Deadline for proposals: 23 April, 2012. We will try to reply by 23 May, 2012.

Registration Fee: 40 Euro
Students: 10 Euro
AUR students Free

(Procedures for paying registration fees will be announced when we circulate the draft program.)

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The Black Market But Were Afraid To Ask

The shadow economy from the point of view of "Business Insider"

After 19 years, Asil Nadir's day in court arrives in £150m fraud saga

he will probably be found not guilty. Others accused already have been.

Kazakhstan stirs terror nests

JaK - the Army of the Caliphate. A nascent terrorist group in Kazakhstan.

New battle lines drawn in cyberspace

Is there such a thing as cybercrime? or is it simply used to justify government censorship. A discussion of Crimes of the Cyberpowerful in the Asia Times.

assets for 25 million of euros seized from a fugitive boss of Cosa Nostra

Matteo Messina Denaro, considered one of the most wanted criminals in the world, is one of the leaders of Cosa Nostra and is on the run since 1993. Police seized assets for 25 million of euros during an operation started from an investigation concerning Antonio d'Alì, an italian politician (under-secetary od the Minister of the Interior during the previous government).

LAPD's science fiction solution to real crime

More algorithms! Pretending to make crime prevention "scientific"!

£10m Wirral drugs gang led by Matthew ‘Matty’ Maguire jailed after police swoop Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//t

Another Mersyside drugs business processed by the courts. This time from "over the water" in the Wirral.

Mafia is Italy's Biggest Business

It would be good to find the report. This summary article tells us very little we didnt already know.

"Così fan tutti". The 'Ndrangheta in Lombardy

An interesting inquiry on the 'Ndrangheta in Lombardy

CALL FOR PAPERS Transnational Organized Crime: Italian Connections

CHANGE OF DATE FOR ROME MARCH 2012

CALL FOR PAPERS

Transnational Organized Crime: Italian Connections

Bilingual Conference (English and Italian)

The American University of Rome
Department of International Relations

23-24March, 2012

Keynote Speakers:

Professor Nando Dalla Chiesa, University of Milan

Professor Diego Gambetta, European University Institute

The American University of Rome's Department of International Relations will be hosting a two-day international conference focusing on Italy’s current roles within transnational organized crime networks and the on-going attempts to weaken these through legislation, enforcement and grassroots activism.

The conference aims to provide a forum for academics, policymakers and operators in the field to discuss issues of common concern. There is a constant need both to examine the evolving social contexts within which organized crime operates and to evaluate the political, economic and social costs of the globalization of this phenomenon in a country which has a long history of powerful mafias with their own international ramifications. There is a large amount of research on Italy’s crime groups and growing scholarship on the transnational dimensions of the phenomenon. At the same time, political and law enforcement agencies which have to deal with the issues directly produce operational and policymaking material. The opportunities for the different fields to learn about the others and discuss issues and solutions are relatively rare; this initiative seeks to fill this gap and encourage a dialogue.

We particularly invite contributions that relate to one or more of the following themes and which focus on the international dimensions. Papers should present original research and analysis.

Debates on defining organized crime in Italy
Methodologies for studying TOC and its effects
Globalization and ‘liquidity’ of Italian mafia operations
Transplantation of foreign groups in Italy
Political connections, clientelism and corruption
Ties to terrorism
Money laundering and the legal economy
‘Gray’ economies
Human smuggling and trafficking through and to Italy
Art crime, fashion and culture industries
Waste removal and disposal
Environmental crimes and impacts
Drugs routes and markets
Fakes and contraband
Arms trafficking
Legal frameworks, national and international
Current policy approaches
Italy’s judicial system
Enforcement agencies, policing and surveillance
Civil society responses
The ‘anti-mafia’ economy

The conference will be held in English and Italian.
We hope to publish selected papers and are currently seeking a publisher.

Proposals (c. 300 words and a short biographical note) are invited from both established and unpublished scholars and practitioners and should be sent to Isabella Clough Marinaro and James Walston at:

TOC@aur.edu

Deadline for proposals: 23 April, 2012. We will try to reply by 23 May, 2012.

Registration Fee: 40 Euro
Students: 10 Euro
AUR students Free

(Procedures for paying registration fees will be announced when circulate the draft program.)

Nigeria Christians hit by fresh Islamist attacks

More on Boko Haram, which article says means "Western education is forbidden". Its attacks seem to be spreading.

Yakuza gangs face fight for survival as Japan cracks down on organised crime

New laws don't seem to be aimed at Yakuza but at everybody else! Yakuza themselves are still not illegal. Interesting article on the state of play in Japanese organised crime.

Police station thefts 'astonishing'

I wonder if part of the problem is the privatisation or civilianisation of security. Who is responsible for the security of police premises?

China's tomb raiders laying waste to thousands of years of history

So who's buying the looted artefacts? "Wealthy collectors"...would that be those evil bankers yet again? Another reason for taxing them properly.

Militants create haven in southern Yemen

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula take advantage of the disorder in Yemen to take over most of Abyan province and parts of neighbouring provinces. Ansar al sharia is their present nom de guerre.