About Book

Organized Crime and Terrorist Networks, edited by Vincenzo Ruggiero, explores the intricate connections between organized criminal syndicates and terrorist groups. Based on the findings of the TAKEDOWN project—a multidisciplinary, multinational initiative funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020—this volume provides a systematic analysis of the convergence between organized crime and terrorism. The book discusses how technological tools, especially Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), have enabled these criminal groups to cooperate, adapt, and sustain operations globally. It addresses terrorism financing, cyber threats, dark web activity, and practical case studies from Europe and beyond. The work draws on interviews, seminars, and practitioner-based insights, making it both empirically grounded and practically relevant. This book is deeply relevant in today’s global security environment, where the overlap between organized crime and terrorism presents complex challenges for governments, law enforcement, and civil society. With its direct input from frontline practitioners and law enforcement officials, it not only contributes to academic knowledge but also strengthens practical strategies for community resilience, radicalization prevention, and multi-sectoral cooperation. The book supports community engagement by offering frameworks for how local, national, and international actors can coordinate responses to the hybrid threats posed by these criminal alliances. A timely, well-researched, and practically grounded volume that bridges theoretical inquiry with empirical insight. It is especially valuable for counterterrorism practitioners, policy-makers, and researchers interested in understanding the convergence of criminal and extremist threats in the digital age.The book provides a unique synthesis of criminological and security research, supported by real-world data from EU fieldwork. While more focused on the European context, the frameworks and insights are broadly applicable to global counterterrorism efforts. Its emphasis on actionable knowledge, including the role of digital tools, fills a significant gap in literature and practice.