ABSTRACT
Terrorism and drug trafficking are, in a way, mirror images of one another. To oversimplify somewhat, international terrorism is a political challenge expressed through criminal activity, while international drug trafficking is criminal activity that has risen to the level of political challenge. In particular, it makes for an uncomfortable fit with the traditional model of self-defense and armed intervention. As with counter-terrorism, however, in order to be translated into practice, the notion that drug trafficking could be an appropriate subject of armed intervention needed a convenient target. The elements of the theory and practice of armed intervention against drug trafficking are considerably less articulated than those we examined in the terrorism context, although there are certain resemblances. Terrorist bombings took a fearful toll of lives and property in the Middle East, particularly beginning in 1983 with the attacks on embassies and military installations, and more spectacularly with the Marine barracks bombing in October of that year.
