Record Drug Production Fueling a Civil War in Myanmar

Rackets Podcast #26

This episode explores the geopolitics of why Myanmar is now the top producer of opium. Myanmar's military junta launched a coup in 2021 and it profits from this black market, along with other organized crime rackets. A massive humanitarian crisis has ensued from a regime that is guilty of numerous war crimes. Several of the rebel groups also profit from illegal drugs.

Show notes:

⁠https://www.briansaady.com/move-over-afghanistan-myanmar-is-now-the-worlds-top-opium-producer⁠

⁠https://2017-2021.state.gov/wei-hsueh-kang/⁠

⁠https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/hp1268⁠

⁠https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session56/a-hrc-56-crp-7.pdf⁠

⁠https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/02/myanmar-military-air-strikes-that-killed-17-civilians-must-be-investigated-as-war-crimes/#:~:text=Amnesty%20International's%20May%202022%20report,executions%20and%20the%20systematic%20looting⁠

⁠https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/myanmar-reckless-shipments-of-jet-fuel-continue-as-air-strikes-multiply/

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