
The Pandemic Is Putting Gangsters in Power
As states struggle, organized crime is rising to new prominence.

Legalization Advocates Hope to End Mexico’s Drug War
Threats, violence, and clampdowns have failed. Can decriminalization work?

As Nation Holds Breath, the War on Drugs Is Quietly Abandoned
Decriminalization measures have won across the United States.

Kyrgyzstan’s Protests Won’t Keep Corrupt Criminals Out of Politics
Members of the criminal underworld have long turned to politics to avoid prosecution. Ousting one set of corrupt leaders in favor of another won’t end the country’s crisis.

Violence Hurts the Communities Protesters Want to Protect
A disturbing rise in crime figures highlights the dangers of endorsing militancy.

Reintegrating Ex-Terrorists
Entrepreneurship can help reintegrate former militants—and may be useful for U.S. criminal justice reform, too.

Human Trafficking Helps Terrorists Earn Money and Strategic Advantage
The United States should get serious about ending slavery once and for all.

In Mexico, AMLO’s Presidency Turned One
Here’s how he’s delivering on his security promises.

In Honduras, the U.S. War on Drugs Is Empowering Corrupt Elites
The Central American country has become a transit zone for drug traffickers and the center of a biofuel boom. Dispossessed indigenous groups are paying the price.

China’s Record on Intellectual Property Rights Is Getting Better and Better
The country is making the transition from net importer of ideas to net innovator, and as it does, it is finding that good patent laws matter.

Canada’s Drug Crisis Has a Solution. Politicians Don’t Like It.
Decriminalization saves lives. But Canada is only just accepting that reality—and the United States is even further behind.

Addicted in Bhutan
The country’s substance use spike is undermining its focus on gross national happiness.

China’s Reefer Madness Is Sweeping Up Foreigners
Legal marijuana abroad is playing into xenophobia at home.

When Poppies Don’t Pay
With a stark decline in the price fetched by opium gum, Mexico’s government should take strides toward making crop substitution proposals a reality in Guerrero.

Corrupt Guatemalans’ GOP Lifeline
U.S. Republicans are weakening a U.N. anti-corruption investigation into President Jimmy Morales. What are they getting in exchange?

Swapping Cocaine for Peace
A voluntary coca crop substitution initiative in Colombia is failing. It is still the country’s best option to address its cocaine production problem.

China Killed Prince
Fentanyl is the PRC’s deadliest export—and new promises probably won’t stop it.

Mexico’s War on Drugs Failed
Proposals to legalize opium production could still beat the cartels—but only if poppy farmers are part of the process.

South Africans Are Taking the Law Into Their Own Hands
In a country where no one trusts the police, vigilante groups promising to stop gang violence were initially welcomed. Now, with extralegal justice on the rise, some citizens have had enough.