The Emerging Threat of Illicit Drug Funding of Terrorist Operations

Abstract

The art of warfare to the terrorist is a sacrosanct event, waged with incontrovertible conviction and viewed as a mere extension of an ill-defined front on an endless field of battle. This SRP hopes to show the strategic impact of illicit drug manufacture and distribution on (I) financial sustainment of the terrorist organization, (2) its (illicit drugs) viability as a weapon of mass destruction, and (3) potential to impair the readiness of U.S. Armed Forces. I will seek to convey through historical overview and current events the symbiotic relationship that exists between illicit drugs and terrorism, to include the funneling of illicit drug profits to sustain known terrorist organizations, the trading of illicit drugs to obtain military weaponry, and upsurge of illicit drug use by U.S. military personnel. Additionally, it discusses certain aspects of on going U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Colombia, showing a corollary increase of opium and coca production/distribution from those regions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA415734

Entities

People

  • Jackie L. Reaves

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Department Of State
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Employment
  • Health Services
  • International Law
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Recreation
  • Societies
  • Street Drugs
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

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  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.