The Crescent Three States

Chapter 8 discusses the International Drug Control Regime in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran where, toward the end of the twentieth century, the illicit use of drugs started to spread widely. The chapter argues that, despite the centrality of Afghanistan to the world’s opiate market, it is only since 1979 and the Soviet invasion that it has had to confront multiple drug-related policy issues. Consequently, Afghanistan remains comparatively inexperienced in implementing drug policies. It shows that, as is the case with other countries coming to the International Drug Control Regime challenge relatively late, the Crescent states rely much more on hard power than soft power solutions. The countries’ assertions of national preoccupations in areas like judicial conduct reflect the region’s highly distinct set of social mores and cultural values.