• Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Middle East logoCarnegie lettermark logo
LebanonIran
{
  "authors": [
    "Sarah Chayes"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Anti-Corruption"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Syria",
    "Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa",
    "Eastern Europe",
    "Ukraine",
    "Levant"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

The Link Between Government Corruption and the Rise of Terrorist Groups

Government corruption is an important factor in the rise of violent extremism. Syria, Ukraine, and Nigeria are important contemporary examples.

Link Copied
By Sarah Chayes
Published on Jun 11, 2014

Source: WBEZ’s Worldview

Speaking on WBEZ’s Worldview, Carnegie’s Sarah Chayes discussed the link between corruption and national security. She explained that “corruption can be a very significant driver of a variety of different international security threats. And then when something major breaks out, often the situation spins out of control.”

About the Author

Sarah Chayes

Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Sarah Chayes is internationally recognized for her innovative thinking on corruption and its implications. Her work explores how severe corruption can help prompt such crises as terrorism, revolutions and their violent aftermaths, and environmental degradation.

    Recent Work

  • Commentary
    China Financial Markets test

      Sarah Chayes

  • Paper
    Fighting the Hydra: Lessons From Worldwide Protests Against Corruption

      Sarah Chayes

Sarah Chayes
Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Sarah Chayes
Political ReformDemocracyMiddle EastSyriaSouthern, Eastern, and Western AfricaEastern EuropeUkraineLevant

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

  • Paper
    The Twilight of Oil in an Age of Uncertainty: From a Vicious to a Virtuous Cycle

    The global hydrocarbon order is changing. Economic diversification and developing productive economies have become essential for Middle Eastern and North African states, requiring them to address social and political challenges and rethink domestic, regional, and global settlements.

      • +1

      Nur Arafeh, Ishac Diwan, Hamza Meddeb, …

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Young and Restless in the Middle East

    In an interview, Mayssoun Sukarieh discusses youths in the region, and how they are being defined and reshaped.

      Yasmine Zarhloule

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Filling the Void as Syria’s Transitional Justice Stalls

    Reconciliation councils are emerging throughout the country to mediate in intracommunal disputes, many from the war years.

      Natacha Danon

  • Article
    Jordan’s Border Economy: Even Amid Transformation, the Drug Trade Endures

    The civil war in Syria may have ended, but the country continues to serve as a source for the trafficking of illegal substances into and via Jordanian territory.

      Armenak Tokmajyan, Laith Qerbaa

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    A Celebration or Funeral in Iraq?

    As the U.S.-led Coalition withdraws, the Kurds’ reliance on Baghdad, and on themselves, will only increase.

      Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Get more news and analysis from
MENA Transitions
Carnegie Middle East logo, white
  • Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
MENA Transitions
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.