The Nexus of Terrorism and Drug Trafficking in the Golden Crescent: Afghanistan
Abstract
The nexus of terrorism and drug trafficking in the Golden Crescent region of Southwest Asia and the broader Middle East is Afghanistan. As the region's core state, how Afghanistan builds a strong political and security framework by eliminating safe havens for terrorists and narco-traffickers is critical for regional stability for not only that country but also for its neighbors and the United States. This paper examines the extent of Afghanistan's narcotics problem; increases in opium poppy production and price after the fall of the Taliban; and the relationship between drug trafficking, the insurgency, and government control of poppy cultivating areas. Comparative analysis of the U.S. drug control strategy for Pakistan, the evolving Afghan national drug control strategy, and the U.S. national drug control strategy reveals that it is possible to achieve reductions in use, production, and trafficking in narcotics. The study proposes a balanced, regional, and long-term counter-narcotics strategy for Afghanistan and for drug producing and consuming countries globally.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449213
Entities
People
- Lowry Taylor
Organizations
- United States Army War College