The Taliban now control many of the key parts of the economy enabling them to systematically tax different points along commodity chains. Yet Zaranj has also become a gateway town for legitimate trade, including in fuel, construction materials, consumer goods and foodstuffs. This is likely to continue as the structural drivers of the opium economy – armed conflict, poor governance and widespread poverty – are all moving in a negative direction. In both the countryside and the border towns, the opium economy provides an important lifeline for Afghans, many of whom were already living through a humanitarian crisis. This will unfortunately drive the global heroin market, as well as feeding the growing drug problem within Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Source: The Hindu August 16, 2021 07:29 UTC