Counterpoint (Point?)

Here's my contribution to the school newsletter - part of a point/counterpoint on the drug trade. It's a drastically shortened version of something I did as an undergrad - the original was about 15 pages. As always, comments are welcome.

Drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime feed on and reinforce each other, thriving in the same environment of lawlessness and violence. Organized crime is focused on the financial benefits, the business, of crime. The less attention the activities involved receive, the better. Terrorism, on the other hand, seeks a wide-ranging public profile. However, the groups are often linked through the drug trade. Organized crime groups often run trafficking organizations while terrorists and insurgent groups often control the territory where the drugs are cultivated and transported. Both groups use funds obtained from the drug trade to finance their organizations and operations. Drugs are the chief commodity of organized crime and vital in at least 30 ongoing terrorist campaigns.

Heroin and cocaine are the most lucrative commodities on the black market. Because drug trafficking is so profitable, many different criminal and terrorist groups are involved in some way. Some of these groups are primarily organized crime groups, focusing on the business aspect. However, many criminal organizations whose main focus is something other than profit also turn to drug trafficking to finance their primary activities. Many terrorist organizations have seen a decline in state-sponsorship in recent years, and have been forced to rely on drug trafficking for an increasing percentage of their funds. Money independently earned gives them greater autonomy to pursue their own ends without interference or compromise with state governments.

Just one example of the national security implications of the drug trade is Afghanistan. The Taliban derived a significant amount of income from taxes levied on the opiate trade, and was an example of a state supported primarily by the illegal drug trade before the US-led invasion. Taxation was not standardized but was institutionalized to the point where the government issued receipts for collected revenues.

Groups that are chiefly politically motivated, yet still highly involved in the drug trade include: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), National Liberation Army (ELN [of Colombia]), Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso SL [of Peru]), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK [of Turkey]), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [of Sri Lanka], United Wa State Army [of Burma], Shan United Revolutionary Army (Shan State Army/South [of Burma]), Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Sayyaf Group, Basque Fatherland and Liberty [of Spain], and others.

The illegal drug trade funds attacks against civilized society and destabilizes democracies across the globe. Failing and failed states (such as Afghanistan and Colombia) are particularly vulnerable to the corruption and violence that result from drug trafficking. It is vital to consider drug trafficking within this context in order to minimize the threat to U.S. security. The drug trade undermines America’s culture, funds terrorism, and erodes democracy, presenting a clear danger to our national security. The illegal drug market in America is one of the most profitable in the world. Thus it attracts the most sophisticated, ruthless, and aggressive drug traffickers.

The “War on Drugs” is not in competition with the “War on Terror.” While some question whether America can fight both at the same time, they are not two unrelated campaigns. With an effective fight against drugs, the threat from terrorism is reduced because the financial base that supplies terrorists is starved. Organized crime and the illicit drug trade must be a target in an effective war on terrorism.