From Nixon to Trump: The Geopolitical Evolution of the US War on Drugs

This podcast episode from NZZ Geopolitik analyzes the historical transformation of the United States' War on Drugs, tracing its evolution from a domestic policy initiative under Richard Nixon to a complex geopolitical strategy under Donald Trump. Initially launched in 1971 as a political program focused on prevention, therapy, and repression to restore social order, the campaign shifted significantly during the Reagan era. It became increasingly militarized, extending US operations abroad to target production and smuggling routes in countries like Bolivia and Panama. However, these interventions often strengthened drug cartels, making them more violent and politically networked. Under President Trump, the conflict has intensified into what experts describe as a real, albeit unwinnable, war. Drug cartels are now framed as terrorist organizations, linking drug policy to broader geopolitical maneuvers, including tariffs and power struggles with China. The analysis highlights how this approach reasserts Latin America as a US sphere of influence while serving as a display of domestic strength, despite failing to resolve the underlying drug crisis.