Part of the Atlas Bear Labs knowledge ecosystem
Enhance Your Intelligence Practice:
- OSINT Tools - Maritime and supply chain intelligence gathering tools
- Supply Chain Tools - Open source management solutions for emerging markets
- OSINT AI Guide - AI integration in intelligence workflows
- Atlas Bear Academy - Professional development programs
A curated collection of essential reading materials for intelligence professionals working to understand and combat illicit trade.
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Global Shell Games: Experiments in Transnational Relations, Crime, and Terrorism by Michael G. Findley, Daniel L. Nielson, and J. C. Sharman
- A groundbreaking experimental study that unveils how easy it is to form anonymous shell corporations. The authors posed as international consultants and approached nearly 4,000 services in over 180 countries to expose the vulnerabilities in global financial systems that enable terrorist financing, corruption, and illegal arms trades.
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Understanding Terrorist Finance by Timothy Wittig
- A comprehensive framework for analyzing terrorist finance that dispels popular myths about how terrorist groups access and use financial resources. Wittig demonstrates how terrorists interact with everyday economic systems rather than operating in a separate shadow financial universe, providing crucial insights for intelligence professionals working on counter-terrorism finance.
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Dark Commerce: How a New Illicit Economy Is Threatening Our Future by Louise I. Shelley
- A comprehensive examination of how modern technology has transformed illicit trade, creating new markets for drugs, human trafficking, wildlife, and cybercrime. Shelley demonstrates how these interconnected criminal networks operate "on steroids," exploiting digital anonymity and globalization to generate trillions in revenue while threatening environmental sustainability and global security.
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Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men Who Stole the World by Nicholas Shaxson
- An eye-opening exploration of the world of offshore tax havens and their impact on the global economy.
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Global Outlaws: Crime, Money, and Power in the Contemporary World by Carolyn Nordstrom
- A compelling investigation into the shadowy world of international crime and illegal trade, exploring how it shapes global economics and politics.
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Somalia: Economy Without State by Peter D. Little
- An intriguing examination of how Somalia's economy functions in the absence of a central government, challenging conventional wisdom about the relationship between state and economy.
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The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk
- A gripping account of the 19th-century rivalry between the British and Russian Empires for supremacy in Central Asia.
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The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder by Sean McFate
- An analysis of how warfare has evolved in the 21st century, challenging traditional military doctrines and proposing new strategies for modern conflicts.
- Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI by Karen Hao
- An insider's exposé of the AI industry's race for dominance, revealing the hidden costs and colonial dynamics behind AI development. Hao examines how AI companies are reshaping global power structures while exploiting workers in the Global South and consuming vast environmental resources.
- OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information - 10th Edition (2023) by Michael Bazzell
- A comprehensive guide to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods, providing practical techniques for gathering and analyzing publicly available information. This edition focuses on self-reliance in OSINT investigations, including creating custom search tools, building virtual machines, and mastering the latest search methods for various social media platforms. It covers a wide range of topics from computer optimization to data breaches and ransomware, with an emphasis on methodology, workflow, documentation, and ethics.
- Proclamations from the Bullshit Pulpit: Rhetoric and Governance under Trump by Bernd Kaussler
- An analysis of political rhetoric and its impact on governance structures and democratic institutions.
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Ghetto at the Center of the World: Chungking Mansions, Hong Kong by Gordon Mathews
- A fascinating study of the diverse community within Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions, offering insights into globalization and cross-cultural interactions.
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The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuściński
- A compelling collection of the author's experiences and observations from his travels across Africa, blending journalism and literature.
This list is a work in progress. Feel free to suggest additions or provide feedback!
| Repository | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|
| osint-tools | Maritime & supply chain OSINT tools |  |
| recommended-reading | Curated intelligence reading list |  |
| supply-chain-management-tools | Open source management solutions |  |
| osint-ai-guide | AI applications in OSINT |  |
| mara | Maritime intelligence platform |  |
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