Caribbean Security in 2005 Fact or Fiction

摘要

In a post 9/11 world, all major global issues are related to security, with terrorism the all-pervasive world threat. At this time, there is the perception that the English-speaking Caribbean states are unable militarily and economically to respond alone to terrorist threats. To solve this problem a regional plan of action needs to be implemented by the Caribbean states to improve the region's overall security infrastructure and to reduce its military and economic security dependence on the international community. This plan of action would involve the expansion of the existing Regional Security System (RSS). Paramilitary in structure, the RSS was established by a Memorandum of Understanding in 1982 to 'Address the traditional security concerns of the smaller Eastern Caribbean islands, but nontraditional issues were also within its purview...' The main security challenges to the region at present are 'the twin problems of drug trafficking and money laundering,' which are referred to using the label 'narcoterrorism.' It is crucial that the region's security infrastructure be improved so that the governments there can successfully tackle the problem of narcoterrorism. At present and for the foreseeable future, the major world powers are involved in a wide range of global conflicts and crises. Coupled with these involvements are socioeconomic pressures and the costs of responding to catastrophic natural disasters. As a result, the Caribbean can expect cutbacks in foreign aid and increasing reluctance on the part of the United States and other countries to aid in future regional crises. With the expansion of the RSS, the region will be able to effectively coordinate its own security effort via a system that has been tried and proven, as it is evident that only collective regional action will be a successful counter to narcoterrorism.