Money Talks: Evaluating U.S. Disruption of Terrorist Financing Networks

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of how to respond to the financing efforts of a group like ISIS by answering the question, how have the USA PATRIOT Act and other U.S. policies disrupted the financing of ISIS? The scope of this research relates to the terrorist group ISIS and the efforts by the United States to combat its financing operations. Terrorist groups can only carry out as much activity as they can afford. As a nation at the forefront of the War on Terror, the U.S. has the responsibility to frequently analyze and evaluate current policy and whether or not it is adequately addressing terrorist threats. This study claims that current policy requires revision in order to adequately address the financing mechanisms used by ISIS, specifically the financing mechanisms tied to the organization's control of territory. It concludes with policy suggestions for improvement and implications for the future of terrorism and terrorist policy.