China’s leader draws on lessons from Lin Zexu, a Qing official whose defiance of Britain led to China’s humiliating defeat but made him a national hero.
Tag: Opium
The Once Booming Drug Town Going Bust Under Taliban Rule
Funding its war against the United States, the Taliban reaped millions from boom towns trading opium, heroin and meth. Victorious, the group crushed the trade, leaving ghost towns in its wake.
Afghanistan Tries to Stamp Out Opium Again
The multibillion-dollar trade has survived previous bans. Now, the Taliban are going after solar-powered water pumps to try to dry up poppy crops in the middle of a national economic crisis.
Taliban Outlaw Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan
The move will have far-reaching consequences for the many farmers who turned to the illicit crop as a brutal drought and economic crisis have gripped the country.
Why the Taliban Desperately Need Cash to Run Afghanistan
The group has long tapped underground banks and opium to fund Afghanistan’s insurgency. Fixing the nation’s problems will require a lot more than that.
Myanmar Raids Reveal New Production of Fentanyl, a Killer Drug
China’s crackdown on makers of the drug, which has fueled the U.S. opioid crisis, may have simply created opportunities for crime syndicates elsewhere.
Opium-Smuggling Taliban Leader’s Release From Prison Raises Questions
Among the 11 Taliban prisoners freed, in what some reported was a swap for Indian hostages, was a U.S.-designated terrorist figure who had been caught with a haul of opium.
Mexican Opium Prices Plummet, Driving Poppy Farmers to Migrate
The drop in prices is leading poppy farmers to seek work in the United States and other places.