A Plan Colombia for Afghanistan: Exporting Success?
By Aaron Mannes
Speaking in Bogotá a few weeks ago, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Peter Pace praised Colombia’s success at battling a drug fueled insurgency and cited it as a “good model” for Afghanistan. He wasn’t just praising his hosts; the new U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan will be the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, William Wood. While there are many positive lessons to be learned from Colombia’s successes (and failures), U.S. anti-narcotics efforts may not be the most important factor. In particular, the United States should consider carefully before initiating aerial spraying against poppy growers in Afghanistan. Read the full blog here.