On May 24, 2005, Barnett R. Rubin, Chair of the us Institute of Peace’s Afghanistan Working Group, addressed the Capitol-Hill based study group “Security for a New Century 109th Congress” on the challenges confronting postconflict Afghanistan, specifically the illegal narcotics trade. He argued that narcotics trafficking poses a major threat to the future stability of Afghanistan because drug money finances illegal armed groups, illicit government structures and terrorists.

He expressed deep concern that the country and its citizens are at risk of becoming dependent on “dirty money” because illicit narcotics currently constitute such an overwhelming proportion of Afghanistan’s economy. Rubin cautioned, however, that long-term us interests in a stable Afghanistan could be damaged if counter-narcotics operations are not conducted correctly and in the right sequence. He argued in favor of a four-part us policy in the following order:

• Financial support to develop alternative sources of income for Afghans and provide debt relief to farmers as well as build roads and other infrastructure;
• Macroeconomic support to help prevent currency collapse and maintain government revenue;
• Law enforcement assistance focusing on arresting traffickers and political sponsors of the illegal drug trade and shutting down laboratories that convert opium to mescaline and heroin; and,
• Eradication of poppy fields.

According to Rubin, the Afghan population currently does not see eradication efforts as legitimate at because growing poppy for most farmers is an act of subsistence. If the proper steps are taken to provide alternative livelihoods for farmers, he argued, that will change.

Rubin said that winning and keeping popular support for us policies and the central Afghan government is necessary to successfully root out the narcotics economy in Afghanistan.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of USIP, which does not advocate specific policy positions.