Opium

Waldhauser at AFRICOM

The Pentagon Sent $500 Million Abroad for International Drug Wars. What Happened Next Is a Mystery. The Pentagon Sent $500 Million Abroad for International Drug Wars. What Happened Next Is a Mystery.

A report by the Defense Department’s inspector general raises questions about a combatant command with a history of scandals.

Feb 8, 2018 / Nick Turse

An opium field in Afghanistan

America Is Losing Yet Another Drug War—in Afghanistan America Is Losing Yet Another Drug War—in Afghanistan

Opium is the fundamental factor driving the Taliban’s success, but try telling that to Donald Trump.

Nov 13, 2017 / Alfred McCoy

Johann Hari

‘Addiction Is an Adaptation to Your Environment’: An Interview With Johann Hari ‘Addiction Is an Adaptation to Your Environment’: An Interview With Johann Hari

Addiction, according to Johann Hari, is less about drugs and more about human connection.

Apr 25, 2016 / Laura Flanders

An opium field in Afghanistan

The Drug That Makes the Taliban Possible The Drug That Makes the Taliban Possible

Until Washington deals with Afghanistan’s economic dependence on opium, the Taliban aren’t going anywhere.

Feb 22, 2016 / Alfred McCoy

Red Guards (with “Quotations From Chairman Mao Tse-tung” in hand) on the cover of an elementary school textbook from Guangxi, 1971.

5 Books That Shed Light on the Cultural Revolution 5 Books That Shed Light on the Cultural Revolution

“The most intriguing books draw out the continuities between contemporary China and its Maoist past.”

Nov 19, 2015 / 5 Books / Chenxin Jiang

1886 Map of the British Empire

From Opium Wars to Darwin’s Finches: A Brief History of Great Britain From Opium Wars to Darwin’s Finches: A Brief History of Great Britain

History has shown us time and time again that we are only human.

Jul 27, 2015 / Eduardo Galeano

Addicted to Numbers Addicted to Numbers

Misleading narratives about the Afghan opium trade have led to counterproductive eradication strategies.

Jan 11, 2011 / Paul Fishstein and David Mansfield

Afghanistan on Life Support

Afghanistan on Life Support Afghanistan on Life Support

The American war and Afghanistan’s civilians.

Sep 13, 2010 / Nick Turse

High on Opium, Not Democracy High on Opium, Not Democracy

In Bush-liberated Afghanistan, billions in drug profits are financing the Taliban, proving the President is better at starting wars than winning them.

Sep 6, 2006 / Column / Robert Scheer

Cultivating Opium, Not Democracy Cultivating Opium, Not Democracy

Afghanistan's crop "has spread like wildfire."

Nov 23, 2004 / Column / Robert Scheer

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