ABSTRACT
There are many kinds of nonstate actors: transnational companies, failed states, revolutionary organizations, or religious orders. Many operate secretly and some illegally. Organizations and movements, defined by the recognized and legitimate as illicit, must seek cover to operate. Strategic denial is assured by the creation of a parallel world that exhilarates and protects, offers haven and enhances the life of the committed. As a result, the threat of strategic deception rather than strategic denial by illicit organizations is real but rare except on a tactical level. Strategic deception is rare because of a lack of resources and talent. Among illicit groups, a special alternative closed world of the chosen arises that hides as much as necessary and shows as little as possible. What such strategic denial makes possible is an alternative real world. The criminal and the radical use denial to obtain advantage because violence can pay disproportionate dividends.
