This book explores how transnational criminal, insurgent, and terrorist organizations have exploited globalization to develop a parallel illicit economy and governance system. Examining the world through their eyes, it readjusts standard geopolitical notions of international relations. The authors show how these organizations' safe havens-or black spots-facilitate their activities by insuring the absence of state governance and regulation. Like black markets and pirate sanctuaries, black spots defy the Westphalian state system. Using detailed case studies of 80 such black spots worldwide,...