It would be wrong to draw parallels between Jamaica and the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a unique case. It is, in effect, the
world’s only narco-state, and as such, it warrants special attention. The lion’s
share of revenue in the Afghan economy comes from the production of heroin, the
world’s most dangerous drug. The country’s black market is several times bigger
than its legal economy. The drug mafia plays a special role in Afghanistan, and
it is aided in its criminal activities by the Taliban, Government officials who
have business ties with drug lords and the Nato-led coalition which prefers to
turn a blind eye to the problem. As a result, the political system that has
taken shape in Afghanistan can be described as a form of drug-fueled military
feudalism in which real power belongs exclusively to local warlords, who are
closely involved with drug trafficking. -- Alexei Pilko
Drug mafia funds jihad
June
14th, 2010
The war on terror in Afghanistan can’t be won so long as
traders in drugs continue to reap enormous profits, writes
Alexei Pilko
The
structure of international relations has undergone a sea change in recent years:
Now, one of its features is that so-called non-state actors have greatly
expanded their reach, to the detriment of the global situation. Non-state actors
are global political entities that act outside the realm of international law.
They include extremist, radical and terrorist organisations, fundamentalist
movements, criminal syndicates and commercial entities engaged in illegal
activities. The international drug mafia is undoubtedly one of the most
influential non-state actors in the world.
The drug
mafia, as a non-state actor in global politics, is distinguished by its
decentralised and networked structure. It is essentially indestructible because,
like the Lernaean hydra of Greek mythology, for every head it loses, it grows
two more. Like all businesses, its goal is simple and clear: To make the largest
profit possible. The drug mafia’s network now covers the entire globe. There are
producer countries — Afghanistan (opium poppy) and Columbia. Drugs from these
countries are transported to consumer countries through transit regions —
Central Asia, Central America and the Middle East. The profitable markets of
Russia, the European Union and the United States (coca bush) form the endpoint
in the supply chain.
In a
number of cases, the drug mafia enjoys considerable public support, and any
efforts to fight it could provoke a backlash of popular anger. This is why the
powerful Nato-led coalition focuses on counter-terrorism in Afghanistan and
shies away from taking on Afghan drug producers. The recent attempt of Jamaican
authorities to arrest drug lord Christopher Coke vividly shows what can happen
in this case. The confrontation between his supporters and police resulted in a
heavy street fighting in Kingston.
However,
it would be wrong to draw parallels between Jamaica and the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a unique case. It is, in effect, the world’s only
narco-state, and as such, it warrants special attention. The lion’s share of
revenue in the Afghan economy comes from the production of heroin, the world’s
most dangerous drug. The country’s black market is several times bigger than its
legal economy. The drug mafia plays a special role in Afghanistan, and it is
aided in its criminal activities by the Taliban, Government officials who have
business ties with drug lords and the Nato-led coalition which prefers to turn a
blind eye to the problem. As a result, the political system that has taken shape
in Afghanistan can be described as a form of drug-fueled military feudalism in
which real power belongs exclusively to local warlords, who are closely involved
with drug trafficking.
This is
fertile ground for the drug mafia. Economically, it stands to gain from the
destabilisation currently plaguing Afghanistan. But the drug lords are never
content. They are always interested in expanding their business. This is a cause
for concern in the important transit countries in Central Asia. By buying off
local authorities and forming relationships with the local communities and
businesses, the drug mafia is securing its foothold in this strategically
important region.
In light
of these circumstances, the counter-terrorist operation launched in Afghanistan
in the wake of the September 11 attacks has lost all meaning. The drug mafia
will provide the Taliban and Al Qaeda with unlimited funds to maintain its
position in the country. Fighting them will become nothing more than a battle
with windmills. To win the war against terrorism in Afghanistan, we must first
deal a blow to its deeply entrenched drug mafia. This will require an effective
combination of force, on the one hand, and social and economic measures on the
other.
We must
also work toward economic renewal in Afghanistan and the creation of a normal
economy to replace the current feudal-criminal economy. The international
community should initiate an open dialogue to find a solution to the Afghan
crisis. This process must be rooted in a clear understanding of the fact that
the terrorist threat in Afghanistan is now second to the drug threat.
Source: The Pioneer
3:45 AM
Sultan Shahin
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