A Question of Escalation -: From Counternarcotics to Counterterrorism: Analysing US Strategy in Colombia

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Question of Escalation -

T2 - From Counternarcotics to Counterterrorism: Analysing US Strategy in Colombia

AU - Smith, M.L.R.

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - This analysis addresses whether US strategy has escalated the ongoing conflict in Colombia. The study examines the ways in which US policy towards Colombia has been affected both by global circumstances after 9/11, and local events on the ground such as the involvement of private military firms which operate alongside multinational corporations in the country. The evidence suggests that US strategy has escalated the conflict, sometimes unintentionally, as the policy has evolved from an initial emphasis on countering the narcotics trade to one of counterterrorism. This has occurred, however, at the expense of other reforms, in particular by hindering the implementation of an effective pacification strategy. The analysis concludes that such an unbalanced strategy does not, as a consequence, provide for greater security and stability.

AB - This analysis addresses whether US strategy has escalated the ongoing conflict in Colombia. The study examines the ways in which US policy towards Colombia has been affected both by global circumstances after 9/11, and local events on the ground such as the involvement of private military firms which operate alongside multinational corporations in the country. The evidence suggests that US strategy has escalated the conflict, sometimes unintentionally, as the policy has evolved from an initial emphasis on countering the narcotics trade to one of counterterrorism. This has occurred, however, at the expense of other reforms, in particular by hindering the implementation of an effective pacification strategy. The analysis concludes that such an unbalanced strategy does not, as a consequence, provide for greater security and stability.

KW - Counternarcotics

KW - Counterterrorism

KW - Terrorism

KW - Colombia

KW - COIN

KW - FARC

M3 - Article

SN - 0959-2318

VL - 17

SP - 163

EP - 196

JO - Small Wars and Insurgencies

JF - Small Wars and Insurgencies

IS - 2

ER -