Traditional street gangs have focused on a narrow slice of violence. Primarily turf-oriented, they operate under loose leadership, with ill-defined roles and a focus on loyalty and turf protections. These "first generation" or "turf" gangs are limited in political scope. They are localized and not highly sophisticated. In terms of their position in emerging conflict, they are proto-net warriors. The more entrepreneurial, drug- centered gang emerges as a "second generation" type. "Second generation" gangs are more cohesive, with greater centralization of leadership. Drug-selling becomes a group rather than an individual activity. Drug gangs use violence to control their competition and assume a market rather than a turf orientation. They may embrace a broader political agenda (albeit market- focused), operate in a broader (sometimes multi-State) context, and conduct more sophisticated operations. The emerging phenomenon of the "third generation" street gang is a mercenary- type group with goals of power or financial acquisition and a set of fully evolved political aims. Third generation gangs operate at the global end of the spectrum and are more sophisticated in nature. This type of gang may embrace either quasi-terrorism or true terrorism to advance its influence; Such gangs are net warriors who challenge the nation-state. To date, no gang falls squarely into the third generation categorization, although some gangs are moving along the three spectra of politicization, internationalization, and sophistication toward that end. 24 footnotes