Question

There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: Beyond undermining the monopoly of the State on the use of force, armed conflict also creates an environment that can enable organized crime to prosper.
Paragraph:
(1) Linkages between illicit arms, organized crime, and armed conflict can reinforce one another while also escalating and prolonging violence and eroding governance.
(2) __
Financial gains from crime can lengthen or intensify armed conflicts by creating revenue streams for non-State armed groups (NSAGs).
(3) __
In this context, when hostilities cease and parties to a conflict move towards a peaceful resolution, the widespread availability of surplus arms and ammunition can contribute to a situation of 'criminalized peace' that obstructs sustainable peacebuilding efforts.

• A. Option 2
• B. Option 1
• C. Option 4
• D. Option 3

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This paragraph examines the interconnectedness of illicit arms, organized crime, and armed conflict, detailing their reciprocal influence on governance and peacebuilding. A crucial point is that armed conflict not only challenges state authority over the use of force but also creates an environment conducive to organized crime's growth.

Paragraph Structure Analysis:

1. Sentence (1): Establishes the central theme of mutual reinforcement among illicit arms, organized crime, and armed conflict, highlighting their destabilizing impact on governance and peace.
2. Sentence (2): Explains how organized crime financially supports and perpetuates armed conflicts, particularly by providing revenue for non-state armed groups (NSAGs), thereby illustrating the practical role of crime within conflict zones.
3. Optimal Placement for Missing Sentence: The sentence, "Beyond undermining the monopoly of the State on the use of force, armed conflict also creates an environment that can enable organized crime to prosper," logically fits between sentences (2) and (3). It serves as a transitional element, clarifying why organized crime flourishes during conflicts and leading into the subsequent discussion on long-term post-conflict effects.
4. Sentence (3): Addresses the post-conflict consequences, specifically how residual arms and established criminal networks impede sustainable peace, resulting in a 'criminalized peace.'

Conclusion: Considering the logical progression of ideas and thematic coherence, the most appropriate placement for the sentence is:

Option 3: Following sentence (2) and preceding sentence (3).