Designated - Mapping Illicit Business Networks: Varun Vira

C4ADS- Center for Advanced Defense Studies- is a nonprofit that works to uncover illicit networks that threaten global peace and security through deep-dive investigations and intelligence analysis on data that may be publicly available, but hard to find. Through their investigative work, they’ve been able to map out secret business and real estate networks designed by corrupt military leaders in Sudan and unravel the multilayered supply chain enabling forced labor camps of Uyghurs in China.

Varun Vira is the Executive Director of C4ADS.  He spoke with Designated  host Yaya Jata Fanusie about how his nimble organization is at the forefront of using open-source intelligence to shine the light on global networks trying to keep their dealings of dirty money and illicit operations in the dark.  C4ADS’s investigations have made a significant and material impact and the targets of their investigations have taken notice.  And although their efforts have become more necessary than ever, they come with tremendous risk.