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Saturday November 21, 2009

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Counternarcotics Policy

BOOK

Save to My PortfolioShooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs

Vanda Felbab-Brown, November 15, 2009

Felbab-Brown draws on interviews and fieldwork in some of the world's most dangerous regions to explain how belligerent groups have become involved in drug trafficking and other illicit activities, including kidnapping, extortion, and smuggling. Read More

Terrorism, Transnational Security Threats, Counternarcotics Policy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioU.S. Options in Afghanistan and the Karzai Brothers

Vanda Felbab-Brown, November 02, 2009, Room for Debate Blog

U.S. Options in Afghanistan and the Karzai BrothersHamid Karzai was declared the winner of the presidential vote in Afghanistan on November 2 and he was quickly warned that he must crack down on rampant corruption. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined several other experts to discuss what should be done about President Karzai's brother, Wali Karzai, who has been linked to Afghanistan's narcotics trade. Read More

Afghanistan, Counternarcotics Policy, Corruption

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioNarco-belligerents Across the Globe: Lessons from Colombia for Afghanistan?

Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 28, 2009, Fundación Real Instituto Elcano

Increased insecurity in Afghanistan and the sense that the counterinsurgency is not being won have left many looking for comparisons that can shape future policy. Vanda Felbab-Brown examines similarities between the counternarcotics and counterinsurgency efforts in Colombia to draw conclusions on how to reverse recent trends in Afghanistan. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, Colombia, Afghanistan, NATO

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioU.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 21, 2009, Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in AfghanistanIn testimony before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Vanda Felbab-Brown discussed how narcotics production influences the security, political, and economic developments in Afghanistan. Felbab-Brown also examined the effectiveness of policies to mitigate these effects and offered recommendations for the future of U.S. policy on the issue. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, Afghanistan, U.S. Military, Development

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioTransnational Drug Enterprises: Threats to Global Stability and U.S. National Security

Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 01, 2009, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs

Transnational Drug Enterprises: Threats to Global Stability and U.S. National SecurityIn testimony before the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Vanda-Felbab Brown discussed illicit economies, organized crime, and their impact on U.S. and global security. Felbab-Brown concluded by offering recommendations for counternarcotics strategies as well as other measures local and foreign governments can take to address the issues. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, National Security, Colombia, Mexico, Transnational Security Threats

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioReducing Demand for Poppy Inside and Outside Afghanistan

Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 25, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Reducing Demand for Poppy Inside and Outside AfghanistanAfghanistan's drug economy needs urgent attention, but it also needs a smart policy. Emphasizing rural development and legal livelihoods while interdicting drug traffickers and reducing demand worldwide are the best options, says Vanda Felbab-Brown. Read More

Counternarcotics Policy, Afghanistan, U.S. Military, Russia

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Obama Administration’s New Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 24, 2009, The Brookings Institution

The Obama Administration’s New Counternarcotics Strategy in AfghanistanAs President Barack Obama considers alternatives to increasing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Vanda Felbab-Brown argues his administration's new counternarcotics policy represents a courageous break with previous misguided efforts there and thirty years of U.S. counternarcotics policies around the world. Read More

Afghanistan, Counternarcotics Policy, Terrorism, U.S. Military, Transnational Security Threats

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioFending Off Failure in Afghanistan: The Opium Factor

Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 21, 2009, Room for Debate Blog

Fending Off Failure in Afghanistan: The Opium FactorA recent statement by Gen. Stanley McChrystal calling for a dramatic increase in troops on the ground in Afghanistan has sparked a new nationwide debate over U.S. strategy in the country. Vanda Felbab-Brown contends increased resources will be vital to ensure success in the counterinsurgency operation, and she argues there is a critical link between security, counternarcotics and counterterrorism efforts. Read More

Afghanistan, Counternarcotics Policy, U.S. Military

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBetween Hypocrisy and Narcoterrorism in Latin America

Mauricio Cárdenas and Kevin Casas-Zamora, September 15, 2009, The Brookings Institution

A new agreement between the United States and Colombia will give the U.S. military access to seven existing facilities in order to carry out counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations. Mauricio Cardenas and Kevin Casas-Zamora examine concerns among countries in Latin America regarding this move and argue that it is time to have meaningful conversation on a problem that affects the whole hemisphere. Read More

Colombia, Latin America, U.S. Military, Diplomacy, South America

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioUN Says Afghan Opium Production Down

Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 02, 2009, NPR's All Things Considered

According to a new United Nations report, Opium cultivation is down 22 percent in Afghanistan. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined National Public Radio to discuss why the significance of these numbers should not be overestimated and to offer insight into the new counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan. Read More

Afghanistan, United Nations, NATO, U.S. Military, Counternarcotics Policy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioPresident Obama in Mexico

Vanda Felbab-Brown, August 10, 2009, The Diane Rehm Show

President Obama in MexicoVanda Felbab-Brown joined Diane Rehm to discuss President Obama's meeting in Guadalajara with leaders of Canada and Mexico on issues of mutual concern including escalating drug violence in Mexico, immigration and the economy. Read More

Mexico, Counternarcotics Policy, Latin America, Canada, Global Financial Crisis

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioTarget the Drug Lords in Afghanistan, Not the Farmers

Vanda Felbab-Brown, July 15, 2009, National Post

Target the Drug Lords in Afghanistan, Not the FarmersVanda Felbab-Brown writes that the new U.S. counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan represents a courageous and welcome shift in American policy. Felbab-Brown believes focusing on legal alternatives for farmers and emphasizing rural development will breed success in reducing illicit economies as well as bolster the larger counterinsurgency operation. Read More

Afghanistan, Counternarcotics Policy, NATO, Development, U.S. Military

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioThe Merida Initiative and Central America

Tuesday, May 26, 2009
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC

The Merida Initiative and Central AmericaOn May 26, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings and the Washington Office for Latin America hosted a discussion on the Central American component of the Merida Initiative, a 3-year program that provides funding for a wide-range of drug interdiction, prevention and intervention activities throughout Mexico, Central America and select Caribbean countries. Read More

Central America, Latin America, Crime, Mexico, Counternarcotics Policy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My Portfolio'Guatemalastan': How to Prevent a Failed State in our Midst

Kevin Casas-Zamora, May 22, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that the weakness of Guatemala as a state, the pervasive violence, the widespread corruption and the country’s strategic location for drug trafficking are creating a very dangerous cocktail. He believes reform is necessary but also notes it will be quite difficult. Read More

Latin America, Central America, Corruption, Counternarcotics Policy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDrugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift

Kevin Casas-Zamora, April 22, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Kevin Casas-Zamora believes the report of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy is a significant addition to an urgent conversation in the hemisphere. Casas-Zamora argues that, with a new U.S. administration far less hooked to the socially conservative attitudes that have long defined the debate, a frank discussion on drugs—both domestic and international—can at last begin. Read More

Latin America, Crime, Counternarcotics Policy

In Brief

A part of the illegal drug trade—consumption, transshipment, or production—is present in virtually every country. In places such as Afghanistan and Colombia, the illicit narcotics economy lies at the heart of violent conflict and crucially affects counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and stabilization efforts. Counternarcotics efforts are complex and long-term efforts to mitigate numerous threats to national and international security, political stability and accountability, and economic development posed by illicit economies.

Featured Experts

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Fellow, Foreign Policy, 21st Century Defense Initiative

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
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Kevin Casas-Zamora

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Latin America Initiative

Kevin Casas-Zamora is a senior fellow in Foreign Policy and in Brookings’ Latin America Initiative. Most recently, Casas-Zamora served as Costa Rica’s vice president, as well as minister of national planning and economic policy. Casas-Zamora has authored several studies on political finance, elections, democratization, and civil-military relations in Latin America.
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Mauricio Cárdenas

Mauricio Cárdenas

Director, Latin America Initiative

Mauricio Cárdenas is a senior fellow and director of the Latin American Initiative. Formerly minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and director of National Planning of Colombia, his research focuses on international and development economics. He is also the president of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).
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