former Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Matters
Formerly Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Matters (2003-2005) and author of Narcotics and Terrorism: Links, Logic, and Looking Forward
Is it Time to Cease Fire in the War on Drugs? As a US Senator, Barack Obama said, “The war on drugs is an utter failure.” Many narcotics agents, prosecutors and judges agree. New York may repeal tough anti-drug laws. The federal government may stop raids in states that have legalized medical marijuana. That’s now California’s top crop, and there’s a proposal to regulate and tax marijuana for state revenue during hard times. Three former South American presidents are among those who’ve asked the US for a “paradigm shift” in the so-called “war.” Would ending the “war” take the profit out of crime, violence and increased addiction, or would it be like fighting a fire with napalm? We hear a debate that’s coming out of the shadows.
Is It Time to Cease Fire in the War on Drugs? As a US Senator, Barack Obama said, "The war on drugs is an utter failure." Many narcotics agents, prosecutors and judges agree. New York may repeal tough anti-drug laws. The federal government may stop raids in states that have legalized medical marijuana. That's now California's top crop, and there's a proposal to regulate and tax marijuana for state revenue during hard times. Three former South American presidents are among those who've asked the US for a "paradigm shift" in the so-called war. Would ending it take the profit out of crime, violence and increased addiction, or would it be like fighting a fire with napalm? We hear a debate that's coming out of the shadows.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?