The activities of the CSTO and the CIS in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in Central Asia

This article analyzes the activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in combating organized crime and illicit drug trafficking within Central Asia. The analysis covers the normative legal framework, mechanisms of cooperation among member states, and measures aimed at ensuring stability in the Central Asian region. A content analysis was conducted of CSTO exercises from 2017 to 2024 and the effectiveness of “Channel” (Kanal) operations was assessed. Moreover, the study also compared the achievements of CIS activities in legal and coordination spheres, including the implementation of interstate programs. The study establishes that the CSTO demonstrates consistent effectiveness in the forceful response to threats, while the CIS plays a key role in forming the normative foundations and providing informational and analytical support for regional security. Particular attention is paid to the effectiveness of joint activities and ongoing security measures within participating states. Furthermore, the article analyzes possibilities and directions for further deepening integration within the CSTO and CIS organizations. The key emphasis is placed on the formation of a common strategic approach to ensuring regional security, the development of joint training programs, the consolidation of legal norms, and enhancing of the operational compatibility among security forces. The article proposes to consider the CSTO and CIS not only as instruments of military-political cooperation but also as platforms for a comprehensive response to cross-border threats, thereby contributing to the formation of a unified and sustainable collective security space in the Central Asian region. The authors emphasize the importance of more intensive cooperation among states. In conclusion, the authors summarize the role and effectiveness of these organizations in countering illicit drug trafficking and organized crime within the territories of Central Asian states.

The novelty of the research lies in the analysis of statistical data pertaining to implemented programs and adopted normative legal acts, as well as in tracing the dynamics of their effectiveness within the framework of cooperation between CSTO and CIS member states. The study compares the approaches of both organizations to ensuring regional security and evaluates the effectiveness of existing mechanisms based on specific statistical data reflecting the results of implemented programs and operations in recent years.

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