357 Luis de la Corte Ibáñez To what extent do global terrorism and organised criminality converge nexus that entail the latest and the most extreme modality of transnational terrorism: that which some experts have agreed to call “global terrorism”. In general terms, this concept can be applied to any form of terrorism which, taking advantage of the conditions of economic, political, informative and cultural interconnection that characterise the globalised world of the XXI century, has the determination and the capacity necessary to produce repercussions (psychological, social, informative and political) of a worldwide extent. In empirical terms, the emergence of this class of terrorism appears to be closely linked to the formation of the Al Qaida organisation and of the diffusion and complex mesh of organisations, groups and individuals that have acted under its influence: whether as a consequence of the direct communication and cooperation with its top leaders or due to mere ideological following10. 3. Modalities of convergence and examples associated with global terrorism Various interpretations have been put on the consideration of the convergence between terrorism and organised crime, or between organised crime and terrorism. For a long period of time, most of the studies of terrorism that deal with the subject, in largely abstract terms, made use of one of the two opposing hypotheses. In the first one, the convergence between terrorism and organised criminality would be little less than a “contra natura” option. According to the second one, on the other hand, this deals with a spontaneous, quasi-natural tendency. Those in favour of the first position usually seek to justify their theoretical justification by detailing the benefits that may derive from the convergence between one activity and the other, and the similarities between both of them. In contrast, the critics of the convergence hypothesis underline the prejudices that this trend may represent for those involved in it, as well as the differences (in objectives and means) that distinguish the terrorists from organised criminals. Nevertheless, the accumulated evidence over several decades of research into terrorist phenomena go beyond the specific type that concern us (global terrorism), showing two main conclusions. Firstly, the convergence between terrorism and organised criminality is neither natural nor against nature. The hypothesis that considers this has found empirical confirmation in more than a few cases. Hence, convergence is an unquestionable possibility and a comparable pattern11. However, the opposing examples are more numerous and 10 REINARES, Fernando. Terrorismo global Global terrorism, Madrid: Taurus, 2003.; DE LA CORTE, Luis. “El terrorismo (yihadista) internacional a principios del Siglo XXI: dimensiones y evolución de la amenaza”, “International (jihadist) terrorism at the start of the XXI century: dimensions and evolution of the threat” in E. Conde and S. Iglesias (eds.), Terrorismo y legalidad internacional Terrorism and international legality, Madrid: Dykinson, 2012, pp. 27-34. 11 In this respect see: ROLLINS, John, WYLER, Liana Sun and ROSEN, Seth. “International Terrorism and Transnational Crime: Security Threats, U.S. Policy, and Considerations for Congress”, Congressional Research Service, Washington, 5/10/2010. Available at: www.csr.gov.
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