Download Locations:
Summary:
Opium poppy cultivation and drug trafficking have become significant factors in Afghanistan's fragile political and economic order over the last 25 years. Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, Afghanistan has become the source of 87% of the world's illicit opium and heroin, in spite of ongoing efforts by the Afghan government, the United States, and their international partners to combat poppy cultivation and drug trafficking. Across Afghanistan, regional warlords, criminal organizations, and corrupt government officials continue to exploit opium production and trafficking as reliable sources of revenue and patronage, which perpetuates the threat these groups pose to the country's fragile internal security and the legitimacy of its embryonic democratic government. The trafficking of Afghan drugs also appears to provide financial and logistical support to a range of extremist groups operating in and around Afghanistan, including remnants of the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda operatives. U.N. officials estimate that in-country illicit profits from Afghanistan's record 2004 opium poppy crop were equivalent in value to 60% of the country's legitimate GDP. Some analysts suggest that drug-tainted warlords, tribal leaders, and local officials may jeopardize Afghanistan's security. The issue is further complicated by an aspect of coalition forces' pursuit of security and counterterrorism objectives: frequent reliance on warlords, tribal leaders, and local officials who may be involved in the production and trafficking of narcotics. The failure of U.S. and international counternarcotics efforts to significantly disrupt the Afghan opium trade or sever its links to warlordism and corruption since the fall of the Taliban has led some observers to warn that without redoubled multilateral action, Afghanistan may succumb to a state of lawlessness and reemerge as a sanctuary for terrorists. Recently-elected Afghan president Hamid Karzai has identified counternarcotics as the top priority for his administration and has stated his belief that "the fight against drugs is the fight for Afghanistan." In 2005, U.S. and Afghan officials plan to implement a multifaceted strategy to provide viable economic alternatives to poppy cultivation and to disrupt the corruption and narcoterrorist linkages that threaten Afghanistan's security and the success of recent counterterrorism and reconstruction efforts. U.S. forces generally do not engage in counternarcotics operations, and policy makers continue to debate military options. This report describes the structure and development of the narcotics trade in Afghanistan and explores its relevance to Afghan, U.S., and international security interests, including the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the United States make a long term commitment to the stability and security of Afghanistan. The report provides current statistical information on the opium trade, profiles its various participants, explores alleged narco-terrorist linkages, and reviews the U.S. and international policy response since late 2001. The report also considers current policy debates regarding the role of the U.S. military in future counternarcotics operations in Afghanistan; planned opium poppy eradication; and funding issues for Congress. The report will be updated periodically. For more information on Afghanistan, see CRS Reports RL30588 -- Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy and CRS Report RS21922 -- Afghanistan: Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
