For centuries armies have used stimulants to face the reality and the brutality of war. It was soon realized by scientists how certain drugs could also help improve the performance of the military. In order to have a better understanding about the type of drugs that were and are still used by combatants, it is stated that among such drugs are: amphetamines, methamphetamines and psychedelics. These drugs have been widely used by soldiers since World War I, intensifying their production, dealing and consumption, particularly, during the Cold War. Focus here is on Captagon, a methamphetamine that is circulating among soldiers in today’s wars. Syria is the country taken as reference in that Captagon is influencing the country’s geopolitical position.
As a matter of fact, Syria is regaining power in the Middle East through drugs. Captagon is also known as “the drug of jihad” or “poor man’s cocaine” (1). More precisely, Captagon is a methamphetamine used by military and militias, including Isis fighters, and by civilians as well. The great and dangerous spread that this drug is having concerns the fact that, Captagon, on the one hand anesthetizes the person who assumes it and, on the other, it gives a sense of invincibility to that person.
In addition to this, it should be noted that since 2011, Syria’s infrastructure and economy, have been in dire straits due to the civil war that is still ongoing. Therefore, in order to finance itself, the regime of dictator Bashar Al-Assad decided to invest in a new industry: that of the massive production of certain types of drugs, which had already been circulating on Syrian soil for years, including Captagon. In particular, the Syrian regime is focusing on smuggling the mentioned drug out of Syria. In point of fact, Captagon turns out to be the country’s most exported product. Data show how the value of this trade exceeds that of all other products exported from Syria by 45 times. In support of this there is evidence that millions of Captagon pills from Syria have been intercepted by customs in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan. Moreover, evidence suggests how the drug is circulating in the United States and in Europe as well. In particular, the US government has enacted, in 2022, the so-called “Captagon Act” with the intention of cracking down on the consumption and trafficking of the mentioned drug. Furthermore, as mentioned, Captagon is being trafficked to Europe. As a matter of fact, given that Europe is turning into a major transit place for this drug, it may soon become a very lucrative market for those who produce and deal Captagon.
It behooves to reason on how this illegal business is very important to Assad as the alleged value of Captagon is around $30 billion, more than the entire GDP of the country. Notably, this money often ends up in the pockets of political figures close to the Syrian dictator Assad. Beyond this, it should be noted that, as mentioned, Captagon’s trade also holds an important geopolitical role. Indeed, controlling the flow of Captagon is, for Assad, a major blackmail tool toward the political leaders of neighboring countries who, fearing that this methamphetamine will become a plague within their borders, agree to sit at the table with a particularly cruel and violent regime. Some argue that Captagon has also played a role in the recent normalization of relations between Damascus and other Gulf countries (2). Moreover, evidence suggest that Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias are facilitating the industry of Captagon. It is clear how this practice is contributing to increase regional instability by creating a growing addiction crisis.
From the analysis of this phenomenon, it is possible to say that Syria has now become, for all intents and purposes, a narco-State. In point of fact, the trade in amphetamine and methamphetamine has become a regime-led business model. As stated, it enriches the inner circle of the regime and it provides it with revenues that contribute to Assad’s regime and, more specifically, to the regime’s policies of repression against the civilian population. It is for such reason that the US, UK, and the EU have all imposed additional sanctions beyond those already in place against the Syrian government. The new sanctions target the Syrian dictator Assad, members of his family, militias close to the regime, members of the Syrian army and the Syrian military intelligence and businesspeople as well (3).
After more than a decade, the armed conflict in Syria does not seem to show signs of ending. Moreover, the devastating humanitarian crisis is getting more severe each passing year; as a matter of fact, the government’s targeting of civilians has never halted. It is for such reason that it appears fundamental for the international community to keep ensuring the restrictive measures already imposed to the Syrian regime. This notwithstanding, it is urged to find a credible and lasting solution to the Syrian crisis. The International Organizations must work synergically and relentlessly in haltering the brutalities that have been perpetrated in the country for the last twelve years.
References:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/captagon-drug-fuelling-gulf-party-scene-syrias-finances-2023-05-09/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/9/what-is-captagon-the-addictive-drug-mass-produced-in-syria
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/04/24/syria-eu-sanctions-drug-trade-benefitting-the-regime/
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations.
