David Ucko & Tom Marks bring together their SOC ACE research in new book, ‘A Framework for Countering Organized Crime’

Drawing on three years of research funded by SOC ACE, David H. Ucko (NATO) and Thomas A. Marks (NDU) have published their new monograph ‘A Framework for Countering Organized Crime: Strategy, Planning and the Lessons of Irregular Warfare’, with NDU Press. A publication from the research project, Organised crime as irregular warfare: A framework for assessment and strategic response, the book responds to the urgent need for more effective responses to organised crime. It applies an irregular warfare lens to the problem of organised crime, situating diverse criminal activity within its crucial political context and framing threat actors as symptoms of a socioeconomic-political system that must be understood and addressed, requiring a broader response than is typically employed. The book goes on to propose an analytical framework - the Framework for Analysis and Action - adapted from a long-used method for addressing irregular warfare challenges, to be used to guide the analysis and planning of those tasked with responding to the challenge of organised crime. To facilitate policymakers and practitioners in the rapid employment of the framework, this monograph walks the reader through each section of the adapted approach, offering an abbreviated ‘user’s guide’ in its appendix.

Download an Open Access copy from NDU Press or the SOC ACE publication page. Keep an eye on the research project’s webpage for the latest updates, publications and events information.