Human trafficking: The nadir of an unholy trinity

Article is part of a special issue entitled 'Managing the challenges of soft security threats in the 21st century'.

Abstract:

Terrorism, corruption, and international organized crime, a very 'unholy trinity' which globalization has at once enabled and encouraged, represent the most dangerous security threats to the developing democracies of Europe and the Eurasian region. While neither as lethal as the first order effects of terrorism, nor as corrosive to one's confidence in government as state corruption, international organized crime's trafficking of human beings can destroy the very 'soul' of a state. Human trafficking - the commodification of human beings - represents a modern form of slavery, exploits and ruins women, and can kill. No nation can unilaterally defend itself against this threat.