Afghanistan: Drug Trafficking and the 2014 Transition

"Afghanistan is the world’s primary source of opium poppy cultivation and opium and heroin

production, as well as a major global source of cannabis (marijuana) and cannabis resin (hashish).

Drug trafficking, a long-standing feature of Afghanistan’s post-Taliban political economy, is

linked to corruption and insecurity, and provides a source of illicit finance for non-state armed

groups. Based on recent production and trafficking trends, the drug problem in Afghanistan

appears to be worsening—just as the U.S. government finalizes plans for its future relationship

with the government of Afghanistan in 2015 and beyond and reduces its counternarcotics

operational presence in the country to Kabul, the national capital.."Afghanistan & Drug Trafficking

AFGHANISTAN’S NARCO WAR: BREAKING THE LINK BETWEEN DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND INSURGENTS
"DEAR COLLEAGUE: The administration is several months into its ambitious new strategy in Afghanistan, and we are seeing the first effects of the increases in military and civilian resources. One of the emerging changes is on counter-narcotics policy. In the past, our emphasis was on eradication. Today, we are focused for the first time on breaking the link between the narcotics trade and the Taliban and other militant groups. To accomplish that important goal, the administration and our military commanders have made targeting major drug traffickers who help finance the Taliban a priority for U.S. troops. In addition, a new intelligence center to analyze the flow of drug money to the Taliban and corrupt Afghan officials is beginning operations and plans are under way to create an interagency task force to pursue drug networks. The attached report represents the findings of research conducted by the committee
staff in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The report describes the implementation of the new counter-narcotics strategy and offers recommendations. We also hope that the report will provide new impetus for a national debate on the risks and rewards associated with our increasing commitment
to the war in Afghanistan. Sincerely,JOHN F. KERRY,Chairman