COUNTER DRUG OPERATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION
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Authors
Longabaugh, Claire L.
Subjects
great power competition
Latin America
Navy
drug interdiction
Latin America
Navy
drug interdiction
Advisors
Dahl, Erik J.
Date of Issue
2021-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The United States invests significant time and resources in conducting drug interdiction operations in the Western Hemisphere. However, the primary strategic focus for the United States is great power competition (GPC) with Russia and China. GPC objectives are accomplished by maintaining or expanding influence, which can be achieved by becoming another nation's partner of choice. Partnership requires understanding the priorities of other nations so that mutually beneficial policy can be developed. This thesis examines how drug interdiction operations support the United States' strategic GPC objectives. By identifying the national priorities for Latin American partners and assessing the importance of counter-drug policy, this thesis concludes that drug interdiction operations have the potential to support the United States' GPC objectives only if a partner nation places similar importance on counter-drug policy. As the regional hegemon, the United States must determine the risk of not becoming or not remaining the partner of choice in exchange for accomplishing U.S. policy goals without considering the priorities of partner nations.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.