Live Players Analysis: Drug Cartels in Mexico

"Live Players" with Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg

In this episode of 'Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the intricate dynamics of Mexican drug cartels and their impact on both Mexico's political and economic landscape. The discussion delves deep into how drug revenues sustain elites, non-state actors, and insurgencies worldwide — with notable examples from the Taliban to Chechen rebels. They also discuss the potential threats posed by Mexico's porous border to U.S. national security, the global demand for drugs, the implications of drug legalization in first world countries, and the potential geopolitical shifts involving China and the U.S.

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LINKS:

Samo’s Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

“Mexico’s Drug Cartels Are Not Competitors to the State” https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/p/mexicos-drug-cartels-are-not-competitors

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FOLLOW US ON X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@samoburja (Samo)

@turpentinemedia (Turpentine)

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:29) The Mexican Cartels: A Deep Dive

(01:09) Global Implications of Drug Revenues

(04:45) Cartels vs. Government: A Complex Relationship

(07:58) The Future of Mexican Cartels

(11:25) US-Mexico Relations and Drug Policy

(18:30) Sponsor: Beehiiv

(19:41) Industrialization and Economic Diversification

(28:45) Historical and Global Comparisons

(34:25) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

(41:44) Outro and Sponsor Messages