Captagon and the Syrian War Economy: A Regional Security Concern

In his recent article, Dr. Jan Daniel investigates the rise of captagon production in Syria, charting its transformation from a marginal substance to a primary illicit industry. The research outlines how the Syrian Civil War enabled the rapid expansion of captagon manufacturing, notably as state institutions weakened and fragmented. During the conflict, and increasingly in its aftermath, production shifted from local and ad hoc operations to more organized, large-scale facilities often linked to regime-affiliated actors.

Dr. Daniel examines how this shift turned captagon into a significant source of revenue for elements within Syria’s power structures, filling the vacuum left by economic collapse and international sanctions. His analysis highlights the institutionalization of the trade and its integration into regional smuggling networks.

The article also addresses the broader regional implications, focusing on how captagon trafficking has affected neighboring countries. With smuggling routes extending into Jordan, Lebanon, and Gulf states, the captagon trade is now a growing concern for regional stability and international counter-narcotics efforts.