Final answer:
The collapse of the Soviet Union (B) intertwined with the expansion of global markets, creating an environment that provided greater opportunities for transnational organized crime due to weakened state structures and less regulated markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the factors that intertwined with the rapid expansion of global markets and subsequently provided more opportunities for transnational organized crime. After considering the historical contexts provided, it is clear that the answer is B) the collapse of the Soviet Union. This event marked a significant time in history when many countries began their quest for independence, leading to increased complexities in international politics. The end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union weakened state structures and opened markets, while transnational boundaries became more permeable, thus giving organized crime new opportunities to expand their activities across national borders.
Globalization, which is the interconnectedness of the world's economies and societies, grew stronger post-Cold War, facilitating the exchange of goods, services, and capital. This environment made it easier for organized crime to thrive due to the less regulated markets, and the shift in geopolitical power balances created a fertile ground for illicit activities that could span continents.