This research uncovers common patterns in Afghan migration and the impact of the Taliban's return on human mobility. It draws on interviews with migrants, smugglers, and financiers, revealing an entrenched illicit economy essential to Afghanistan and beyond. The study analyses post-Kabul human mobility; and investigates the role of informal value transfer systems (IVTS) in clandestine migration.

On 27 October Professor David Lewis (University of Exeter) launched his latest research "Economic Crime and Illicit Finance in Russia’s Occupation Regime in Ukraine" at a virtual event hosted by George Washington University’s Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES). The presentation delves into how Russia is using economic and financial tools to consolidate its control of occupied Ukrainian territory.

This paper investigates how organised crime groups manipulate information in Eastern Europe, uncovering their use of technology, media ownership, and connections to the global political economy. The research sheds light on the threats posed by non-state actors in information manipulation and offers an analytical framework for future study.

In a 24 hour virtual conference addressing the future of illicit economies and organised crime in Afghanistan, the SOC ACE Research Programme, attended a timely panel on ‘Monitoring the evolution of illicit economies in Afghanistan.’

This month we’re excited to launch our first ever SOC ACE newsletter. In this issue we spotlight SOC ACE activity regarding our research on Russia, in light of the Ukraine invasion. We’ve highlighted a new research project on Colombia’s ‘Total Peace’ policy, and a new analytical framework for countering organised crime! If you haven’t already, sign up for next month’s newsletter now!

At the recent 24-hour Global Conference on Organised Crime, led by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), SOC ACE researchers discussed the evolving landscape of illicit economies in Afghanistan under the new Taliban regime. The panel included SOC ACE Director Professor Heather Marquette (University of Birmingham), Dr John Collins (GI-TOC), Alastair MacBeath (GI-TOC), and Dr Arian Sharifi (Princeton University).

This paper concentrates on the role of third countries in sanctions evasion and explores the role of thirteen third countries in SEA relating to sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. The report reveals that third countries are more likely to engage in SEA where they are economically dependent on the target country, have trade and commercial capacities to engage in SEA and interests in doing so.

This paper details Russia's illicit economic activity in the occupied territories in Ukraine and calls for more international attention to this aspect of Russia's invasion.

Dr David Ucko and Dr Thomas A. Marks publish their work in the NDU Press based on SOC ACE research detailing the overlap between organised crime and irregular warfare.

New research from Dr David Ucko and Dr Tom Marks presents an analytical framework designed for irregular warfare challenges, to aid assessment of, as well as response to, organised crime. The Framework of Analysis and Action builds on an instructional method long used within the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), at the U.S. National Defense University.

Dr Alexander Kupatadaze (KCL Russia Institute) shares his new research with Dr Erica Marat (National Defense University) which reveals how Russia is outmanoeuvring Western sanctions thanks to help from neighbouring countries.

SOC ACE organised a workshop on: "New dynamics in illicit economies and conflict after the Russian invasion of Ukraine” at the recent Conflict Research Society (CRS) Annual Conference exploring new research from the SOC ACE programme.

New research examines the practices used to evade sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, focusing on the import–export operations of Russia, Belarus, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. Sanctions intended to undermine Russia’s military capacity, have inadvertently bolstered informal trade networks fuelling its military funds.

Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) includes a wide range of illicit and illegal cross-border financial activities, including high-level corruption, money-laundering, and sanctions evasion. This paper provides an analytical overview of how Russian actors and proxies are using IFF to support Russian foreign policy goals.

Organised crime actors can be spoilers in peace processes or partners in peace. This new review paper demonstrates the importance of creating a framework for engaging with criminality and organised crime groups that extends beyond confrontation – allowing for accommodation and incorporating a wider societal change agenda through transformation.

Cathy Haenlein, Sasha Erskine, Elijah Glantz & Tom Keatinge of RUSI have recently had their SOC ACE research on ’Targeted sanctions and organised crime,’ published in Australasian Policing Journal. This research explores the existing evidence base on the effectiveness of sanctions as a tool to disrupt serious and organised crime.