The Fire Next Door

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The narrative highlights the devastating impact of Mexico's drug war, initiated by President Felipe Calderón, resulting in over 44,000 deaths and fears of a failing state. Ted Galen Carpenter critiques U.S.-backed strategies as ineffective and argues for a radical approach: de-funding drug cartels by ending the prohibition of illegal drugs in the U.S. He asserts that without this change, the ongoing violence and corruption will not only persist but escalate, posing greater challenges for both Mexico and the United States.