How Narco States Work

In this eye-opening episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating and troubling world of narco states – regions where governments either participate in or turn a blind eye to drug trafficking. They explore how places like Afghanistan, Guatemala, and parts of Mexico have become dominated by the drug trade, examining the complex mix of poverty, corruption, civil wars, and international politics that create these situations. The hosts break down everything from how the U.S. shutting down Caribbean drug routes inadvertently made Mexico more violent, to why Afghanistan produces record-breaking poppy harvests, making this a compelling look at the unintended consequences of the global war on drugs.