How Counternarcotics Efforts Succeed in Weak States: the Case of Afghanistan from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the National Unity Government (1996-2019)

Abstract

This thesis explains the counter-narcotic efforts taken by three Afghan governments, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the Karzai administration, and the National Unity Government (NUG). The thesis draws on the theory of “will & capacity” of weak states which argues that depending on the will and capacity each state functions differently, and the research methods of desk research, internship, and the key informant interviews. This thesis argues that none of the counter-narcotics efforts employed by those three governments have succeeded in the long-term period. Although, there have been four factors that contributed to effective counter-narcotic efforts. (1) Control and coercion of state, (2) strong governors, (3) international assistances, and (4) foreign militaries.