External stabilisation actors, sponsored militias and their imperative to engage in organised crime

Why do externally sponsored militias turn to organised crime? This project by Tom Rodwell examines how militias and non-state armed groups seek financial independence from external patrons and whether organised crime can provide a route to greater organisational autonomy. Using comparative case studies, the research explores why these groups seek alternative sources of funding, how financial independence is developed and the conditions under which these dynamics emerge. It will also engage policymakers and practitioners to develop practical recommendations for identifying and anticipating these dynamics, and for considering measures to minimise the potential harms militias may cause to Western governments.