I want to start with a short exercise. So, if you will join me, you can take a deep breath, pause, close your eyes if you prefer. I want you to think about what image comes into your mind when I say the phrase the war on drugs.Now for me lots of images come to mind. I think of police drug busts and seizures on the nightly news. Sniffer dogs at music festivals and on city streets.I think of arrests and mass incarceration. I think of the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. Perhaps like me, you also had TV show ...

Thank you. So, I'll be honest to you guys, and you promise to be honest to me, right? Who has ever tried cocaine? Well, well, statistically, some of you are not telling the truth. Let me ask you another question. How many of you have ever been to a party where someone was taking cocaine? All right, that's most of you. Because the fact is we're living in the golden age of cocaine. Never before had there been more consumption of cocaine, more production of cocaine than right now. It's in the streets out here. ...

The US could pursue the war on drugs more effectively, and legally, through traditional methods (via @opinion) https://t.co/8x1Ot9SuP8 ...

Military Action & Legal Scrutiny - US forces seized an oil tanker in the Caribbean, leading to scrutiny of the administration's powers [1][2] - A military strike in September resulted in the deaths of shipwrecked survivors, raising concerns about potential war crimes [3] - A military lawyer was consulted to determine if the survivors were officially shipwrecked, which would have granted them protection under the laws of war [4] - Dissent existed within the military regarding whether the survivors were viable targets after the initial strike [7] - The House approved a bill to pressure for the release of video evidence related to the boat strikes [9] - The administration's lawyers signed off on a memo granting officials criminal immunity due to an armed conflict with drug cartels [9] Policy & Political Implications - The situation raises questions about the use of tax dollars and military force in the so-called drug war [11] - The President's actions contradict his earlier promises to be less hawkish and end foreign wars [11][13] - The administration's actions in the Caribbean are being questioned, particularly regarding whether they constitute a declared war by Congress [16] - The President's actions may be motivated by a desire to be perceived as a muscular foreign policy president, rather than a genuine war on drugs [17] - The administration may be invoking the Monroe Doctrine to justify its actions in the Western Hemisphere [19]

Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, a former president from Honduras’s right-wing National Party, undermines the coherence of his war on drugs https://t.co/CaQuNQRHkV ...

You released video of that first boat strike on September 2nd, but not the second video. Will you release video of that strike so that the American people can see for themselves what happened. >> I don't know what they have, but whatever they have, we certainly release.No problem. You know, we stopped every boat we knock out. We saved 25,000 American lives.>> And if you look at our if you look at our numbers, >> uh the drugs coming in through sea are down 91%. I'm I'm surprised it's 9%. You want to ask.I do ...

President Richard Nixon welcomed Elvis Presley to the Oval Office. It all began with the letter Presley scribbled on a flight to Washington. Dear Mr.. President, first I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley. The Rock Idol went on to offer his services as a quote federal agent at large in the war against drugs.As proof of his qualifications, he added, "I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and communist brainwashing techniques." In a memo, White House aid Dwight Chapen recommended the mee ...

Policy & Geopolitics - US President considering military strikes against drug cartels in Mexico and cocaine factories in Colombia [1][2] - Over 90% of cocaine smuggled into the US is produced in Colombia [2] - US President does not rule out deploying US troops in Venezuela [3] - US President is open to speaking with Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro [3][4] - White House insists boat strikes are legal, and the President would probably go to Congress if expanding them [5] Legal & Ethical Concerns - Critics argue that the boat strikes are illegal and create major problems for the US [5]

US-Colombia Relations & Drug War Strategy - The US is considering cutting military and financial support for Colombia, a long-time ally in the war on drugs [1] - Colombia prefers capturing drug traffickers and using other methods over military strikes against boats [2] - Colombia emphasizes a long-standing relationship with the US, sharing democratic values, respect, liberty, and sovereignty [3] Colombia's Perspective on Drug Trafficking - Colombia views defeating drug trafficking as requiring targeting the entire chain: production, transportation, and commercialization [2] - Colombia expresses concern about how to more effectively combat drugs [3] - Colombia considers the drug problem a complex issue between both countries [4] - Colombia welcomes the US's strong approach to combating drugs [2][3]

Geopolitical Strategy & Security - The US administration is planning to send troops and intelligence officers to Mexico to target drug cartels, potentially expanding the war on drugs [1] - The US has reportedly killed 64 people on boats smuggling drugs, sparking legal criticism [2] - The US government considers Venezuela's leader Nicholas Maduro as illegitimate and a narco-terrorist [2] - The US President has ordered Pentagon officials to prepare for action in Nigeria, citing concerns about the killing of Christians [3] - Early planning for military operations focuses on precision drone strikes targeting the leadership of US-designated terror group Boko Haram [4] US Foreign Policy & Immigration - Venezuela is accused of treating the US badly, including allegedly sending hundreds of thousands of unwanted people, including prisoners, into the country [3]