Jordan has recently begun a broad anti-drug
campaign, as drug trafficking has become a very challenging issue for national
security.
The infiltration of
drugs in the Jordanian society has become a critical issue for society and
security. Criminal groups have become increasingly more sophisticated in the
way they recruit, distribute, and grow.
اضافة اعلان
The drug trade has
started to spread more widely since the onset of the crisis in Syria. As
sanctions were imposed on Syria and Lebanon, a parallel illegal economy emerged
as a source of income for many groups and militias.
While they started
as a reliable funding source for these terrorist groups and militias, growing
poverty, economic hardships, unemployment, and social and political frustration
created a large pool for these groups to recruit from, not just as consumers,
but also as distributors and dealers. This poses more of a risk than terrorism,
as it infects society and creates a large group of disaffected people who rely
on an illegal trade that leaves behind a trail of casualties, violence,
suicides, and corruption.
It was critical
for Jordan to launch the campaign to contain and drain the resources of drug
traffickers in the country alongside the military strategy to protect the
borders. However, it will be extremely difficult to put an end to the illegal
trade without a committed counterpart in Syria that works to address and
contain the drug-trafficking process.
Addressing drug trafficking requires the assistance of Jordan’s allies in the region and beyond, at the very least through information and intelligence sharing, as well as training and experience in dealing with this threat.
As such, it is
important for Jordan to address this security threat through politics and regional
engagement.
Focusing on finding
a political solution in Syria could be an effective approach, given the risks
that drug smuggling represent for Jordan.
Jordan’s allies
also need to see the issue from this perspective, as the lack of any substantial
initiative by the international community to revive political settlement in
Syria poses an increasing risk to Jordan’s stability.
Addressing drug
trafficking requires the assistance of Jordan’s allies in the region and
beyond, at the very least through information and intelligence sharing, as well
as training and experience in dealing with this threat.
There needs to be
more regional cooperation, similar to the international anti-Daesh coalition,
to face the widespread drug smuggling operations and its regional implications.
Amer Al-Sabaileh is a Jordanian university professor and
geopolitical expert. He is a leading columnist in national, regional, and
international media, offers consultancies to think tanks and speaks at
international conferences on Middle East politics and developments.
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