Interdiction

Interdiction is the act of blocking or interrupting the passage of people, goods, or information to and from a particular area or through a particular corridor, or more generally the disruption of an opponent's momentum or supply. It encompasses efforts to prevent movement or access, often with the aim of delaying, degrading, or destroying an adversary’s capabilities.

In military and security contexts, interdiction aims to disrupt the flow of the enemy before they can project power or threaten objectives. It is practiced across air, land, and sea domains and typically combines intelligence-led planning with operations such as strikes on logistics hubs, disruption of supply lines, patrols along routes, and denial of critical infrastructure. The goal is to hamper tempo, reduce combat effectiveness, and compel redirection of resources rather than relying solely on direct engagement.

In civilian and law-enforcement contexts, interdiction refers to preventing illicit movement of contraband, drugs, weapons, or migrants. Examples include border and customs inspections, cargo checks, maritime narcotics interdiction, and anti-smuggling enforcement. Financial interdiction targets illicit finance and aims to cut off resources for criminal or terrorist networks through sanctions, asset freezes, and money-laundering controls.

Legal and policy considerations emphasize proportionality, necessity, distinction, and compliance with international humanitarian and domestic law. Interdiction operations must balance security objectives with civilian safety and rights, avoid unnecessary harm to lawful commerce, and respect sovereignty and due process. The effectiveness of interdiction is often influenced by intelligence quality, legal authorization, and the ability to adapt tactics to evolving threats and environments.