Prof. Sevil Atasoy: "Cutting the flow of drugs is cutting the financial vein of terrorism"

Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Prof. Sevil Atasoy made important assessments at the panel titled "Counter-Terrorism: Reaffirming International Cooperation" held within the scope of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, organized under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Atasoy emphasized that the illicit drug economy now plays a "central role" in financing terrorist organizations, stating that global security is under serious risk due to vulnerabilities in this area. Atasoy stated that today's threats transcend the classical understanding of security; "Terrorism no longer grows only through weapons, but through financial networks and criminal economies," she said. Atasoy also underlined that cutting the flow of drugs means cutting the financial vein of terrorism.

On April 17-19, 2021, the panel moderated by Martyn Warr, Head of the Anti-Daesh Communications Unit at the UK Foreign Office, was attended by Prof. Sevil Atasoy, as well as Nigerian Minister of Defense Christopher Gwabin Musa, Mozambican Minister of National Defense Cristovao Artur Chume, Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group (ICG) Dareen Khalifa, Deputy Under-Secretary for Foreign and Security Policy at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Outi Holopainen, and Acting Assistant Secretary General for Operations at NATO Burcu San.

The unseen key actor of global security: INCB!

Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that considering INCB merely as a "drug control agency" is insufficient, and said that the board is a critical element of the global security architecture.

Atasoy stated that INCB, operating as an independent body within the United Nations system, is one of the most concrete and operational tools for severing the link between drug trafficking and the financing of terrorism, and expressed that the Board establishes a real-time security network among states with the authority it derives from three international conventions.

The 1988 Convention: Direct intervention in terrorism financing

Atasoy emphasized that the 1988 convention, in particular, is a "game-changer" as it combats not only narcotic drugs but also the illicit economic systems arising from these substances.

Atasoy stated that this framework creates a dual impact by working in conjunction with international mechanisms combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and said, "On one hand, we dry up the source, and on the other hand, we cut off the flow within the financial system."

The threat is prevented before it even forms!

Atasoy, also touching upon INCB's impact in the field, stated that illicit production can be prevented before it even starts, thanks to the monitoring of precursor chemicals.

Atasoy reminded that the diversion of tons of fentanyl precursors was recently prevented, stating that this prevented billions of lethal doses from entering the market, and said, "This means cutting off the financing of terrorism before it even emerges."

"We are no longer talking about a fragmented, but an integrated threat"

Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that today, we are facing a new threat model where terrorist organizations, organized crime networks, and digital platforms are integrated with each other.

Atasoy stated that this structure has a flexible, cross-border, and rapidly adaptable character, and said, "We are no longer talking about a fragmented, but an integrated threat. This makes the fight much more complex."

The fight against drugs is also a fight against terrorism…

In the most striking part of her speech, Atasoy stated that the fight against drugs and the fight against terrorism have become inseparable; and used the expressions, "When you prevent drug trafficking, you cut not just one type of crime, but the financial lifeline, the vein of terrorism."

Funding vulnerability creates security gaps!

Atasoy stated that serious gaps would arise if international mechanisms are not supported with sufficient resources, and expressed that these gaps are exploited by criminal and terrorist networks.

Atasoy concluded her speech with these words: "A safer and more predictable future is possible. However, the way to achieve this is through strengthening multilateral cooperation."