Transnational organized crime has been likened to a cancer, spreading across the world. It can undermine democracy, disrupt free markets, drain national assets, and inhibit the development of stable societies. In doing so, national and international criminal groups threaten the security of all nations.

The international community is responding to this menace with speed and unanimity that are rare on the world stage. This journal opens with an essay by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky. She identifies the ways in which major elements of transnational crime threaten the United States and the world community and describes U.S. policies to respond to these threats. The journal also includes information on how other world nations are working together to meet this challenge with a variety of initiatives. Bibliographic and Internet sources provide additional information.

The Explosive Growth of Globalized Crime
Burgeoning crime activity threatens U.S. and world security.
By Paula Dobriansky, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs

U.S. Joins Global Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime
The United States and 123 other nations sign a crime-fighting agreement.
By Elizabeth Verville, senior member of the U.S. delegation that negotiated the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Helping the World Combat International Crime
The U.S. Department of Justice conducts a multi-pronged effort to help emerging nations strengthen their law enforcement and criminal justice systems.
By Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. and Multinational Coalition Disrupts Migrant Smuggling Operations
The United States works with other nations to stop human smuggling and save its victims.
By Joseph R. Greene, Assistant Commissioner for Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Trafficking in Human Beings: The Slavery that Surrounds Us
Victims of human trafficking can be treated like criminals themselves by authorities unmindful of their plight.
By Ann Jordan, Director, Initiative Against Trafficking in Persons, International Human Rights Law Group

Crime Victimizes Both Society and Democracy
Organized crime has claimed fearsome power in some transitional nations, and nationhood itself is threatened.
By Professor Louise Shelley, Director, Center for Transnational Crime and Corruption, American University

Organized Crime and Cybercrime: Synergies, Trends, and Responses
Criminal enterprises have moved rapidly to exploit new opportunities in changing political environments, and expanding technological capabilities.
By Professor Phil Williams, Editor, Transnational Organized Crime; Professor of International Security Studies, University of Pittsburgh

Nations Build Alliances to Stop Organized Crime
Crime occurs in a global context, and must be countered in the same manner.
By Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director, United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 2000
An excerpt from the counter-trafficking law passed by the U.S. Congress.

Resolutions on Organized Crime, Trafficking Adopted
In the Paris Declaration of July 2001, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted anti-crime provisions.

Bibliography
Books, documents, and articles on crime and justice issues.

Selected Internet Resources
A list of Internet sites offering further information on the global effort to combat transnational crime.

Global Issues
An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State
[email protected]

Publisher Judith S. Siegel; Editor William Peters; Managing Editor Charlene Porter; Text Editor Jim Fuller; Internet Editor Tim Brown; Associate Editors Jenifer Bochner, Melissa Cooper, Wayne Hall, Cynthia LaCovey, Ellen Toomey; Reference and Research Joan Taylor, Lynne Scheib; Art Director Chloe Ellis; Graphics Assistant Sylvia Scott; Editorial Board Howard Cincotta, Judith S. Siegel, Leonardo Williams

The Office of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies, society, and values to foreign audiences. The Office publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community. The journals -- Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda>/B>, and U.S. Society and Values -- provide statements of U.S. policy together with analysis, commentary, and background information in their respective thematic areas.

All issues appear in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic and Russian. English-language issues appear at approximately a one-month interval. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks.

The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry explicit copyright restrictions on such use. Potential users of credited photos are obliged to clear such use with said source.

Current or back issues of the journals, and the roster of upcoming journals, can be found on the Office of International Information Programs' International Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm. They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing online, transferring, downloading, and printing. Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy or at the editorial offices:

Editor, Global Issues & Communications
Office of International Information Programs
IIP/T/GIC
U.S. Department of State
301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20547
United States of America
E-mail: [email protected]

Back to top | IIP E-Journals | IIP Homepage