Combating terrorist financing in the first decade of the twenty-first century

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic intelligence oversights with regards to the funding of terrorism. Design/methodology/approach - The paper considers the modus operandi of terrorist financing, and how and how speedily or otherwise they were identified, and the international and national anti-terrorist financing measure implemented post 9/11. Findings - The paper concludes that there were (and still are) strategic oversights, delays and distractions by government law enforcement and financial regulatory agencies in combating terrorist financing. Practical implications - The paper suggests there should be more proactive exchange of intelligence by law enforcement and financial regulatory agencies in combating financing of terrorism. Originality/value - The added value is lessons learned in international efforts against financing of terrorism.