What Are the Conditions for Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has produced most of the world's opium and heroin since the 1990s. With the Taliban's recent return to power, I was eager to talk with the world's leading expert on this subject, David Mansfield. 

I wanted to know why Afghanistan has occupied this role for so long, and how the Taliban’s involvement in illicit production and trade has changed over the years. Why is it we never hear about the sorts of narco-lords who became infamous in Mexico, Colombia and Burma? Could a different US anti-drug policy have prevented the Taliban takeover? How do Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia deal with Afghanistan on this issue?

David addressed these questions and many more, including what we can expect from the Taliban now that they're back in power.

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