Narco-Terrorism in Afghanistan Narco-Terrorism Refers

Narco-Terrorism in Afghanistan Narco-terrorism refers to the role that the narcotics trade plays in promoting and contributing to terrorism. Afghanistan is not only one of the largest sources of international terrorist, but also the world's leading supplier of opium. It is virtually impossible to ignore the relationship between the narcotics trade and terrorism. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to ignore the fact that U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan may actually have increased the ability of narcotics growers to funnel money into terrorist activities by weakening the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Prior to 9-11, the Taliban had cracked down on opium poppy production because of concerns that it would lead to UN-Sanctions, but U.S. intervention in the area removed that threat and actually encouraged poppy-production. Furthermore, there have been recent improvements in local manufacturing techniques, which has made it possible for Afghanis to process the heroin within the country's borders, reducing the bulk it needs to export in the narcotics trade.

In order to understand the extent of the impact of the narcotics trade on terrorism in Afghanistan, one must understand what a tremendous role narcotics production plays in the Afghan economy. Up to one-third of Afghanistan's economy is attributable to the narcotics trade. These narcotics impact other countries in two manners. First, it is believed that opiates originating in Afghanistan actually kill more people than any other illegal narcotic in the world, so the narcotics are their own form of terrorism.

Second, the narcotics trade in Afghanistan exacerbates existing problems there, which makes the population more vulnerable to becoming terrorists. Third, it is believed that the lingering Taliban insurgents profit tremendously from this drug production, so that this narcotics industry funnels hundreds of millions of dollars each year to terrorists. Significance of the Death of Osama Bin Laden There is a tremendous amount of disagreement about the significance of the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Bin Laden was certainly the face of Al Qaeda for many Americans, and, as the mastermind of 9-11, did plan the most serious and significant terrorist attack on American soil. He provided a tangible face for the literally thousands of terrorists worldwide who wished to target the United States. As such, Bin Laden served as a catalyst for American action, much as Hitler did decades earlier during World War II.

Therefore, Bin Laden's death served as a symbolic victory for Americans, because it was a tangible success in the war on terror. Moreover, the circumstances of his death, where he had been forced into hiding and apparently had not had any real leadership role in Al Qaeda for some substantial period of time, reinforced the idea that one might be able to strike out successfully against the U.S.

A single time, but that doing so would force a person into hiding and hamper the ability to plan and effectuate attacks against the United States. However, it is tempting to overstate the importance of Bin Laden's death. While he was a high-ranked person in his terrorist organization, Al Qaeda operates in cells. There are an untold number of men with the same amount of power as Bin Laden currently plotting against the United States.

Killing Bin Laden most certainly did not eliminate the terrorist threat faced by the United States. In fact, it may have provided additional motivation to young terrorists throughout the Arab world. Killing Bin Laden did nothing to increase domestic security from terrorism. Therefore, his death had very little significance for national security. To understand how Bin Laden's death could be important politically and figuratively while having very little literal value, it is important to understand these two distinctions. Legitimacy of the U.S.

Led War on Terror The War on Terror is, like its predecessor, the War on Drugs, an unwinnable war. There is absolutely no way to end terrorism through war. The very things that encourage people to engage in terrorist behavior, such as global economic disparity, religious difference, perceived cultural indifference, pain, and suffering are all exacerbated in a war-like environments. Therefore, declaring a war on terror actually leads to an increase in the number of potential terrorists in the world.

Moreover, the fact that countries may be considered friendly to terrorists, but the war on terrorism is not declared on entire countries but on terrorists within countries means that such wars are going to result in a number of innocent civilian deaths that it should really make people worried about those civilian consequences. Is it in any way appropriate for the U.S. government to engage in activities that will result in a greater number of.