Editorial : new wars and international crime : causes, consequences, and responses

Abstract

This editorial seeks to elaborate upon an important theme of contemporary political and legal policy and practice, which is that of the so-called 'new wars'. These 'new wars' are prevalent following the end of the Cold War and they share important characteristics such as the fact that they tend to combine nationalistic struggles for self-determination with the operations of criminal groups which aim to profit from the creation of a chaotic and lawless economic climate. After trying to identify the basic characteristics of these wars, the editorial reviews various ways in which the international community has responded to the above threats and suggests new alternative responses.