Kleptocracy is an existential threat to global peace

We concur. In fact, illicit finance and kleptocracy are such pervasive threats that in addition to undermining democracy, they corrode the rule of law, fuel impunity, imperil effective implementation of national sustainability and economic development strategies, contribute to human rights abuses, and enflame violent conflicts.

These threats become magnified when they are advanced by authoritarian states to finance greater insecurity and instability around the world, and in a manner that harms the national security of the United States and other democracies.

The corruptive influence of authoritarian forces can be seen and felt across borders and in every corner of the globe.

This is especially true when dictators or corrupt ruling elites conspire with criminals to manipulate weak governance structures, erode judicial independence, and quash anticorruption investigations and the rule of law so that democracy cannot take hold or the voice of citizens cannot be heard.

The malign and criminal behaviors by authoritarian states, for example through kleptocracy and illicit finance, are existential threats to democracies, democratic values and human rights, and to world peace and global order.