Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC)

Dr. Mahmut Cengiz

Dr. Mahmut Cengiz is an Associate Professor and Research Faculty with Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Dr. Cengiz has international field experience where he has delivered capacity building and training assistance to international partners in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He also has been involved in the research projects for the Brookings Institute, European Union, and various U.S. agencies.

Dr. Cengiz regularly publishes books, articles and Op-eds. He is the author of six books, a number of articles, and book chapters regarding terrorism, organized crime, smuggling, terrorist financing, and trafficking issues. His 2019 book, “The Illicit Economy in Turkey: How Criminals, Terrorists, and the Syrian Conflict Fuel Underground Economies,” analyzes the role of criminals, money launderers, and corrupt politicians and discusses the involvement of ISIS and al-Qaida-affiliated groups in illicit economy.

Dr. Cengiz holds two masters and two doctorate degrees from Turkey and United States. His Turkish graduate degrees are in sociology. He has master degree from the School of International Service Program of American University and PhD degree from the School of Public Policy program of George Mason University. He is teaching Terrorism, American Security Policy and Narco-Terrorism courses at George Mason University.

Recent Publications of Dr. Cengiz.

Cengiz, M and Cinoglu H. (2022) “The Impacts of Organizational Structure on Salafi-Jihadist Terrorist Groups in Africa”, International Journal on Criminology, Volume 9, Number 1, pp. 77-100.

Cengiz, M., Karademir, K., & Cinoglu, H. (2022) “The ISIS Model and its Influence Over Global Terrorism”, European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 18(7), 14.

Cengiz, M. (2022) “Should the Houthis Have Remained on U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organizations List?” Homeland Security Today, https://www.hstoday.us/featured/should-the-houthis-have-remained-on-u-s-foreign-terrorist-organizations-list/

Cengiz, M. (2022) “How Autocrats Exploit the Definition of Terrorism for Their Own Purposes,” Homeland Security Today, How Autocrats Exploit the Definition of Terrorism for Their Own Purposes – HS Today

Cengiz, M. (2022) “Activity Shows Terror Groups and Right-Wing Extremists Were Undeterred by COVID-19 Pandemic,” Homeland Security Today,  Activity Shows Terror Groups and Right-Wing Extremists Were Undeterred by COVID-19 Pandemic – HS Today.

Cengiz, M. and Sameth, E. (2022) “ISIS Expansion with Affiliate in Mozambique Increases terrorist Group’s Threat” Homeland Security Today, ISIS Expansion with Affiliate in Mozambique Increases Terrorist Group’s Threat – HS Today.

Cengiz, M. (2022) “Antiquities Trafficking from Syria Along the Northern Route,” in Antiquities Smuggling in the Real and virtual World, edited by Layla Hashemi and Louise Shelley, (London: Routledge).

Cengiz, M. (2022) “ISIS or al-Qaeda: Which Looms a Greater Threat to Global Security?” Small Wars Journal, ISIS or al-Qaeda: Which Looms as the Greater Threat to Global Security? | Small Wars Journal.

Cengiz, Mahmut (2021) “Beheading as a Signature Method of Jihadist Terrorism from Syria to France”, International Journal of Criminology, Volume 8, Number 2, Summer 2021, pp. 65-80.

Karademir, Kutluer and Mahmut Cengiz (2021) “Names Are Never Only Names: A Nominal Analysis of Terrorist Organizations”, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2021.1913820.

Cengiz, Mahmut (2021) “Prevention of the Procurement of Arms and Explosives by Terrorist Groups,” in Handbook of Terrorism Prevention and Preparedness, edited by Alex P. Schmid (The Hague: ICCT Press Publication).

Cengiz, Mahmut and Kutluer Karademir (2020) “Why Salafi-Jihadist Terrorist Groups Pledge Allegiance to Al Qeada or ISIS”, International Journal on Criminology, Volume 7, Number 2, Spring.

Cengiz, M. (2021) Podcast “Taliban and ISIS-K Threaten Stability and Security around the World,” American Military University, https://amuedge.com/taliban-and-isis-k-threaten-stability-and-security-around-the-world/.

Cengiz, M. (2021) “Lessons from the Taliban’s Takeover of Afghanistan and Predictions about the Future,” Modern Diplomacy, https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2021/10/31/lessons-from-the-talibans-takeover-of-afghanistan-and-predictions-about-the-future/.

Cengiz, M. (2021) “Under False Pretenses: Who Directed the Assassin to Kill the Russian Ambassador in Turkey in 2016,” Modern Diplomacy, https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2021/04/21/under-false-pretenses-who-directed-the-assassin-to-kill-the-russian-ambassador-in-turkey-in-2016/.

Cengiz, M. and K. Karademir (2021) “Tales vs. the Truth: Was the United States Really Behind Turkey’s July 15 Coup Attempt?” Modern Diplomacy, https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2021/04/01/tales-vs-the-truth-was-the-united-states-really-behind-turkeys-july-15-coup-attempt/.

Cengiz, M. (2020) “No End in Sight for the Conflict in Syria: Who are Winners and Losers?” Small Wars Journal, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/no-end-sight-conflict-syria-who-are-winners-and-losers.

Cengiz, M. (2020) “IRGC Threat in the Middle East: How safe are Americans in Turkey?” Small Wars Journal, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/irgc-threat-middle-east-how-safe-are-americans-turkey.

Cengiz, M. and Mitchel Roth (2019) The Illicit Economy in Turkey: Criminals, Terrorists, & The Impacts of the Syrian Crisis and ISIS. (Maryland: Lexington).

Cengiz, M. (2019) “Who Was Behind July 16, 2016 Military Uprising in Turkey”, Small Wars Journal, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/who-was-behind-july-15-2016-military-uprising-turkey.