Trump's next term could reshape Middle East drug-money networks

In early 2024‚ Donald Trump plans to restart his maximum-pressure approach on Iran and its backed groups. His main target: cutting off money streams that keep these organizations running

The financial web of groups like Hezbollah stays strong despite earlier U.S sanctions; their funding comes through state-backing and global crime schemes. Iran gives about $800M yearly to Hezbollah (which they call the Party of God)‚ but thats just part of their income

Hezbollahʼs money-making network spans from South America to West Africa using drug-trade‚ fraud and crypto-currency schemes. Their smart move of going worldwide makes it hard to track — they work between gaps in different countries laws and rules. In places like Ivory Coast and Guinea‚ Lebanese communities help move money through various ways: bulk cash transfers hawala systems and fake charities

The drug business brings big money to these groups; about 40% of Hezbollahʼs cash comes from it. They work with cartels in Mexico and Colombia‚ moving drugs and money through Africa. Their newest product is Captagon (a type of speed) which they make in Syria and Lebanonʼs Bekaa Valley. This drug helps militia fighters and brings in lots of cash

Hamas and other groups use new tech to get money. They collect crypto-donations worldwide and hide behind fake charities. In late 2024‚ U.S officials found Hamas got around $10M monthly through these fake groups. Recent actions show progress: Argentina caught people moving 1.8B pesos to Hezbollah through crypto‚ and Jordan hit drug storage places in Syria

To fix this problem countries need to work together better — not just those who call these groups terrorists. They must focus on places where money moves through‚ like South American and African nations. Without stopping both the fighting and money sides Hezbollah and others will keep working through their crime networks