A global coalition can help combat Syria's drug trade

Meanwhile, the Syrian regime has been preoccupied with its own objectives – namely, securing funds while boasting about being triumphant.

Ever since sanctions were imposed on the Syrian regime (and its Iranian supporters) and Russian concerns mounted, Syria's economic and financial situation nosedived, which naturally agitated its supporters.

Now, the regime is playing a dangerous game.

It dispatches convoys laden with Captagon and, on occasion, explosives, to neighbouring countries. Why? Because it believes it can back Arab countries into a corner, coercing them into a) providing financial aid, and b) exerting pressure on the US and the European Union to lift sanctions.

But it's a risky gamble at best.

Jordan loses patience

Jordan, in particular, has been losing its patience. It even threatened the use of force. Meanwhile, the Syrian side has defaulted on fulfilling the commitments outlined within the Jordanian step-by-step initiative.

To make matters worse, a Syrian leader has said disturbing things on television — particularly with regard to drug manufacturing and smuggling, which effectively dug the nation into a deeper hole.

Now, current and former Jordanian officials – and the Jordanian media – find themselves discussing potential retaliation.

King Abdullah II of Jordan stated: "We will protect our nation against any forthcoming threats that could jeopardise our national security due to the Syrian crisis."

Indeed, Jordan perceives the unfolding events along the Jordanian-Syrian border as a war on its security and stability. Consequently, if political and diplomatic pressures prove ineffective, self-defence becomes a legitimate and necessary option.

Buffer zone

But what can Jordan really do?

Some argue that establishing a buffer zone within Syrian territory is already being considered.

The prolonged protests in Sweida, spanning over 40 days, coupled with unsuccessful reconciliation efforts in Dara'a, heighten the likelihood of this scenario.

If said buffer zone encompasses Dara'a and Sweida, then it would sidestep issues of sectarianism, contrary to what is propagated by media outlets funded by Iran.

However, a critical issue remains: can Jordan effectively enforce such a zone?  Signs points to no. The mission would require substantial financial resources and military capabilities that Jordan alone cannot provide.

An international coalition

But Jordan isn't the only victim of the regime's drug-related activities, nor its attempts to destabilise national security. So why not establish an international coalition to combat it?

Drugs, on the surface, may seem like a less pressing issue than terrorism, but the truth is, the growing insidiousness of smuggling Captagon across borders is just as significant.

As such, an alliance could be formed to fight this "attack", much like the 2014 formation of an international coalition to counter the Islamic State (IS).

Nine years ago, member nations unequivocally affirmed their dedication to combating IS on multiple fronts, dismantling its networks, thwarting its ambitions, and destroying its economic and financial infrastructure.

What's stopping establishing a similar global union to combat the Captagon trade? It's not an impossible task – just one that would require concerted efforts by all those affected by the al-Assad regime and its allies.

US intervention

Perhaps US law could also be leveraged to combat the Syrian regime's drug trade, particularly given that it deems Syrian Captagon a threat to US national security.

In the past, when Americans realised that Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega had no plans to stop moving drugs into their country, they went above and beyond to arrest him and put him on trial in the US.

This precedent underlines the limitations of global agreements in combating organised crime and facilitating information sharing, criminal pursuit, and extradition, particularly when the ruling regime becomes the perpetrator.

At this point, decisive action must be taken to eradicate the drug trade, which has transformed from one man's covert operation into a sprawling industry encompassing military militias, factories, and extensive transportation networks.

It's time for the world, especially Syria's neighbouring countries, to strongly consider banding together to put an end to this growing threat, by crippling its infrastructure and punishing its perps once and for all.