Narco-Terrorism: An Increasing Threat to U.S. National Security

The global drug trade continues to plague the United States by threatening American families, their finances, and their freedoms. In addition, illicit drugs pose a serious threat to U.S. national security. Many countries have fallen victim to governmental corruption and destabilization as a result of the drug trade. As long as there is a global demand for illicit drugs, the enormous profits from the drug trade will continue to facilitate the activities of terrorists and organized criminals worldwide. For the United States, the situation is even more troublesome. Faced with a faltering economy, which will inevitably lead to reductions in spending for national defense, Americans should anticipate an increase in the drug trades threat to U.S. national security. This threat will be fueled by the enemies of the United States, who perceive the global drug trade as a means to end the United States long-standing imperialistic influence on the world. Without question, terrorism will continue to be a threat to the United States for the foreseeable future. The current and future challenge for the nation will be preventing another terrorist attack similar to the one that occurred on September 11, 2001. While the majority of effort in the Global War on Terrorism GWOT is concentrated in regions of the world that do not pose an immediate threat to Americans, there is a terrorist presence in countries in close proximity to the United States. The GWOT and the War on Drugs are inseparable. Agencies from around the world are working together to eliminate both terrorism and the illicit drug trade. The long-term solution for eliminating the drug trade and its associated violence is the removal of the demand for illicit drugs. The illicit drug business will endure as long as there are enormous profits to be made. These profits not only fuel the violence among warring cartels, but also are being used to finance terrorist organizations.