The nature
of
conflict
and
crime
is
changing. Technology allows
groups
to
spread
their
influence
without
regard to
geographic limitations.
A
shift
from
hierarchies
to networkorganizational forms is also
occuning. As
a
consequence non-state actors can extend
their
influence
to
gain
social,
political
or
economic porver
and
challenge
state
institutions.
This
article examines
the
potential
tbr
gangs,
transnational
criminals
and
terrorists
to
embrace
network forms
and
utilize
technology
to
wage netwar.
Factors
which
influence
'third
generation'
gang
organization
(politicization,
internationalization and sophistication)
are described
to
illustrate
how a
net-basedthreat can
mature.
A
move toward network organization
within
transnational
criminalorganizations
and terrorist
groups demonstrating
the
potential
for
these
classic
criminal
entities
to emerge
as
netwar actors is also
reviewed. Finally,
the need
lor
state
institutions
such
as
the
police
and
military
to develop networked
responses
to combatnetworked
threats
is
stated