The importance of historical understanding: Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the current counter narcotics policy in Afghanistan

Abstract

This paper evaluates the current United States counter-narcotics policies that are being implemented in Afghanistan. Understanding the cultural and historical landscape of Afghanistan is critical in being able to curb the production of opium and opium related products. The United States needs to recognize that Afghanistan’s unique historical development requires greater attention than it has been given. While U.S.-led coalition forces may have good intentions, they are not appropriately familiar with the cultural norms and attitudes of the civilians whose support they need. Policies that promote engaging in crop eradication and interdiction have not yielded the results they originally intended, as earlier research has shown. This paper recommends that U.S. counter-narcotics policy strictly follows the general accepted standards of international law when confronting opium production, and encourages intellectual discourse that promotes basic education standards in Afghanistan.