As relations with Syria becomes more and more normalized, especially in the Middle East, Syria’s domestic situaiton continues to be a contentious and unstable one. A new amphetamine known as Captagon has taken hold of the Middle East. The Syrian government has been widely criticized for allegedly profiting off of the spread and sale of the drug, and this has made it harder for Middle Eastern countries looking to restore relations with Syria to do so. The drug is nicknamed “the drug of jihad” or “poor man’s cocaine,” as it’s been widely used by ISIS. It is used to stave off exhaustion, hunger and fear, both of which can be beneficial soldiers in war (obviously at the expense of their health). The beginnings of Catagon’s use were during the height of the war, and the production was overshadowed by the giant conflicts going on, but as Syria becomes more and more stable, the production and export is being more thoroughly investigated.
If Syria is hoping to regain full stability and become an active and powerful member of the Arab community– they need to sort out the source htat they’re getting their money from. Syria’s economy is horrible, spending that long in a civil war would have detrimental affects for any country. To get out of this crisis, the way is not by funneling government funds into the drug industry. Additionally, smuggling drugs abroad is not a good way to increase Syria’s image in the international arena.
This relates to what we’re doing in class because the Arab League, which Syria is a part of is a liberal institution.