In what has become par for the course for US reports, the State Department today released a new report on the drug war in Afghanistan, claiming significant progress in the conflict. When looking at the actual data, however, it is entirely unclear how this conclusion was reached.
While lauding the Helmand Provincial government for “impressive political will” to combat drugs, the figures showed that opium production actually increased 61 percent in 2011 over the previous year, and confirmed that Helmand and the rest of southern Afghanistan remain the overwhelming center of that production.
Instead, the claims of progress appear to be based on the amount of poppy fields destroyed, which also increased by 65%, but since this was in line with overall production increase it is hard to see how this was a “gain,” let alone one that the State Department could claim is one of those great “fragile gains” that needs to be eagerly protected with massive increases of funding.
In another sign that the US is likely to escalate this aspect of the occupation of Afghanistan going forward, the report also warned of a dramatic increase in marijuana farming in southern Afghanistan, saying that it was becoming increasingly popular for farmers in the region.
Progress. P-r-o-g-r-e-s-s. What bureaucrats say when they've created enough of a 'problem' to generate a pretext for Hoovering-up your taxes (and spending power) for some time into the future. Progress.
Actually humourous to read since the whole reason for the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by US/NATO was to restart opium production after the Taliban had almost completely stopped it.
more drugs, more trafficking, more killing, more imprisonment, more torture.
the afghan drug war is almost as successful as the one in our hemisphere.
Opium production in Afghanistan increased 61 percent over last year, and marijuana farming is booming, yet the State Department is making "progress" and seeks additional funds to press the fight in the country's war on drugs. Methinks Uncle Sam should undergo surgery to repair his forked tongue.
Every country America has a war in becomes a major drug trafficking/producing region.
We have the ATF selling guns to the cartels,the DEA laundering their cash and our soldiers guarding the opium fields,,when is America going to wake up and realize their government is the drig cartels?
Sure it's a war on drugs. A war fueled by the drug called "brute unaccountable force".
Funny how you displayed a picture of a bagel with poppy seeds on it.