Crimes committed in a conflict environment: Illegal drug trade after the US intervention in Afghanistan

This study examines the dimensions of crimes committed in conflict environments by focusing on the case of Afghanistan. In particular, it analyzes how illicit drug trafficking has evolved amid the insecurity and political instability following the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan after 2001. The study presents the global impacts of drug production and trade in Afghanistan. It demonstrates how opium production, which was already present but somewhat limited before the intervention, rapidly expanded due to factors such as increased corruption, weak state capacity, and rivalry among local power centers following the U.S. intervention. Additionally, it emphasizes that the international community's primary focus on counterterrorism led to inadequate attention to drug trafficking, making poppy cultivation more attractive for Afghans seeking livelihoods. The study addresses how Afghanistan's historical-political structure intersects with its drug economy, showing that illicit drug trafficking not only has an economic dimension but also generates multifaceted repercussions for security, human rights, and international relations. It is noted that the main goal of the U.S. intervention was counterterrorism, and thus anti-drug policies could not be applied in a holistic manner. Field data and literature review suggest that long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan require not only military interventions but also efforts toward economic development and institutionalization. Consequently, within the framework of "crimes committed in conflict environments," the case of Afghanistan stands as a critical example for understanding the influence of international interventions on illegal activities such as drug trafficking. The study offers a comprehensive assessment in this regard.