Abstract:
The study analysed narcoterrorism as a growing threat to international security. It focuses on aspects such as specific changes in the international security environment; a conceptual framework of narcoterrorism; and the challenges of dealing with complex phenomena. Two case studies – Colombia and Afghanistan – were discussed in order to illustrate the relationship between the drug industry and terrorism. The reasons for limited success in responding to the narcoterrorist threat are also clarified, as well as the direction to be pursued in order to achieve greater success in countering this threat. The study used primary sources, such as official documents and government publications as the main point of departure in the analysis of narcoterrorism. Secondary sources such as books, journal articles, periodicals, monographs and newspapers were also used in order to provide a conceptual framework, as well as a discussion and analysis of case studies. The dissertation is based on the following assumptions <ul> <li>Narcoterrorism is an increasing threat to international security and its reach extends across the globe to areas in the Caucasus, Balkans, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.</li> <li>Linkages between terrorist and narco-organisations (engaged in cultivation, processing and trafficking of illicit drugs) are real and driven by “convenience” and profit.</li> <li>Definitional problems and the complexity of the phenomenon of „narcoterrorism‟ complicate adequate responses.</li> <li>To succeed in the war against narcoterrorism a olistic solution and adequate flexible responses are important on the part of the international community.</li> </ul> From a comparison of the two case studies, it is evident that the instability in Colombia and Afghanistan has to a large extent been responsible for the growth of narcoterrorism in both these countries. AFRIKAANS : Hierdie navorsing ondersoek narko-terrorisme as ʼn toenemende bedreiging vir internasionale veiligheid. Spesifieke veranderinge in die internasionale veiligheidsomgewing is aangedui, en ʼn konseptuele raamwerk vir narko-terrorisme asook die hantering van hierdie komplekse situasie is ontwikkel. Twee gevallestudies – Colombia en Afganistan, is ontleed om die verband tussen die dwelmhandel en terrorisme aan te toon. Die redes vir die beperkte sukses wat met die bekamping van narko-terrorisme bereik is, is ook bespreek, asook die rigting waarin beweeg moet word ten einde groter sukses te behaal. As ʼn vertrekpunt in hierdie studie is primêre bronne soos amptelike dokumente en owerheidspublikasies gebruik om ʼn analise van narko-terrorisme te maak. Sekondêre bronne soos boeke, joernaalartikels, tydskrifte, monografieë en koerante is ook gebruik ten einde ʼn konseptuele verwysingsraamwerk daar te stel (insluitend die bespreking asook die ontleding van die gevalle-studies). Die verhandeling is op die volgende aannames gebaseer: <ul> <li>Narko-terrorisme is ʼn groeiende bedreiging vir internasionale veiligheid en het reeds ʼn groot omvang in onder andere, Asië, die Midde-Ooste, en Latyn-Amerika aangeneem.</li> <li>Die verband tussen terrorisme en narko-organisasies (betrokkenheid by die kweek, prosessering en vervoer van onwettige dwelms) is ʼn realiteit en word deur winsmotiewe oorheers.</li> <li>Die probleme rondom definiëring en die kompleksiteit van die „narko-terrorisme‟- verskynsel bemoeilik effektiewe hantering van die aangeleentheid.</li> <li>Ten einde narko-terrorisme suksesvol die hoof te bied, is ʼn holistiese oplossing en voldoende buigbare reaksies deur die internasionale gemeenskap noodsaaklik.</li> </ul> Uit ʼn vergelyking van die twee gevallestudies, blyk dit dat die onstabiliteit in Colombia en Afganistan tot ʼn groot mate verantwoordelik is vir die toename in narko-terrorisme in beide hierdie state. Copyright
