Afghanistan Is On The Verge Of Becoming A Narco State

Opium cultivation by province in Afghanistan in 2013. SIGAR

U.S. Official: Afghanistan Could Become 'Narco-Criminal State' -- NPR

Despite a $7 billion effort to eradicate opium production in Afghanistan, poppy cultivation there is at its highest level since the U.S. invasion more than a decade ago, sparking corruption, criminal gangs and providing the insurgency with hard cash, says John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction.

In testimony before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, he warns Wednesday that Afghanistan could degenerate into a narco-criminal state.

"The situation in Afghanistan is dire with little prospect for improvement in 2014 or beyond," Sopko says. "Afghan farmers are growing more opium poppies today than at any time in their modern history."

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More News On Concerns That Afghanistan Is On The Verge Of Becoming A Narco State

IG for Afghanistan paints grim picture of possible narco-criminal state -- Stars and Stripes
Afghan opium production on the rise despite U.S. troops, inspector says -- NBC
Risk of nacre-criminal state in Afghanistan: US report -- Business Recorder
Afghanistan seeks help in drugs fight after opium crop hits record -- Reuters
U.S. vows to help Afghanistan with narcotics problem -- UPI
With Afghan drawdown ongoing, U.S. to set up center in Bahrain to continue anti-drug efforts -- Washington Post
Afghanistan Watchdog Warns Of 'Narco-Criminal State' After 12 Years And $7 Billion In U.S. Aid -- Matt Sledge, Huffington Post
The Looming Narco-State in Afghanistan -- D. B. Grady, Defense One/The Atlantic