RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, January 03, 2012, PBS Frontline
In an interview with PBS Frontline, Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses the widespread effects of opium production in Afghanistan and the outcome of international and domestic efforts to curb it. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, December 05, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Vanda Felbab-Brown outlines key law enforcement and socioeconomic policy lessons from urban slums controlled by non-state actors in Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Jamaica. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Paul Wolfowitz, October 28, 2011, Foreign Policy
Michael O'Hanlon and Paul Wolfowitz argue that the Colombia model—which included involvement by the Colombian military and U.S. military advisors, U.S. monetary assistance, and strong national leadership—could be applied to successfully combat drug trafficking and terrorism in Afghanistan. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 25, 2011, World Politics Review
Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses the connection between the narcotics trade in Afghanistan and security, arguing that stability must be increased in order for long-term counternarcotics policies to be a success. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 12, 2011, U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
In testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, Vanda Felbab-Brown speaks on the relationship between drug trade and criminal and belligerent groups in Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia and West Africa. Felbab-Brown outlines several recommendations for U.S. policy addressing this difficult and complex problem. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 03, 2011, The Brookings Institution
At a recent event, Vanda Felbab-Brown discussed the impact organized crime is having in Mexico, arguing that the government must change the narrative around violence from the current message that it is just "narcos killing each other," to one that highlights the fact that the violence is destroying communities and must be ended. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 2011, Western Hemisphere Security Analysis Center at Florida International University and USSOUTHCOM
Vanda Felbab-Brown provides an overview of the dynamics of the nexus between organized crime and political insecurity, and the impacts on state and human security in Latin America. Felbab-Brown outlines key developments in U.S. policy in Latin America during the Obama administration and implementation challenges. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 2011, Western Hemisphere Security Analysis Center at Florida International University and USSOUTHCOM
Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses key law enforcement lessons from Latin American countries' responses to crime, highlighting intelligence gathering, the shift from SWAT-like forces to community police forces, policy prioritization, resource concentration, and methods of tackling new crime that rises in retaken areas. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 2011, International Journal of Drug Policy
Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses the harm-reduction assessment approach to supply-side counternarcotics policies. Drawing on examples from U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, Felbab-Brown argues that such a careful and comprehensive cost-benefit analysis should be the basis for any public policy. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, September 22, 2011
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
On September 22, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hostrf a discussion on attempts to tackle drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico, and released Brookings Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown’s new report, “Calderón’s Caldron: Lessons from Mexico’s Battle Against Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Michoacán.” Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 2011, The Brookings Institution
Vanda Felbab-Brown analyzes lessons from Mexico’s battle against organized crime and drug trafficking in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Michoacán, examining topics including Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s willingness to work with the United States and his use of the military in fighting criminal groups. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, August 11, 2011, Latin America Advisor, Inter-American Dialogue
Authorities in Bolivia are increasingly worried that the Santa Cruz area has become a transit point for the drug trade, and evidence has emerged that cartel members are fleeing from Brazil and Colombia to avoid crackdowns. Vanda Felbab-Brown offers background insight into the current drug trafficking issue in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 30, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Although there was much talk of drug-consuming countries' co-responsibility at the recent Central American security summit in Guatemala, few concrete steps were taken to address the blight of organized crime in the region. Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that without external assistance, Central America cannot make real progress in overcoming these challenges. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, June 23, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Vanda Felbab-Brown offers analysis on President Obama’s new plan for U.S. military options in Afghanistan, which aims to withdraw 10,000 U.S. troops this year. Felbab-Brown argues that the force reduction could weaken progress that has been achieved in the country, and reflects a broader message about U.S. involvement in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 22, 2011, LA Times
Organized crime and violence permeates Central American countries. The rampant drug trafficking within the region only exacerbates this problem. Kevin Casas-Zamora suggests methods through which Central American countries can begin amending their societies, emphasizing the importance of profoundly reforming taxation systems in order to gain effective territorial control. Read More