Authorities around the world are sounding warnings about a new, highly potent synthetic opioid, largely manufactured in China, @drphilipaberry.bsky.social writes.

I’m delighted to share my take for World Politics Review about the UK’s counter-narcotics support to Ecuador. The article highlights the scale of the drug problem in Ecuador and provides historical context about the UK’s anti-drug assistance to the country www.worldpoliticsreview.com/uk-ecuador-c...

There were at least 333 drug-related deaths involving #nitazenes in the UK in 2024. This compares to 342 synthetic opioid, including #fentanyl, deaths in Germany in the same year. www.bundesdrogenbeauftragter.de/presse/detai...

In 2024, there were 2,137 drug-related deaths in Germany, 90 cases fewer than the previous year. ‘#Synthetic #opioids such as #fentanyl [has] been found in…342 cases, approximately 16 percent’. www.bundesdrogenbeauftragter.de/presse/detai...

Russia is the first country to recognise the Taliban regime. Will other repressive states follow suit? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A massive 3,600 kilograms of #cocaine, worth £76 million, was concealed within bananas and transited the port of Southampton en route to Hamburg. www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2525345...

China has announced it is scheduling the entire class of nitazene-related substances. It will be interesting to see how this, if at all, impacts #nitazene supply. www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202506/19/...

This is disgraceful, but unsurprising given how Musk operates.

What is at stake in the US-UK trade talks? https://www.ft.com/content/ab671907-51a5-4826-9204-68fdd0bdbd67

It’s a ‘very b ig deal’ says the US president. But will it bring peace and security to Ukraine?

I'm pleased to share my take for @uk.theconversation.com about nitazene supply & use in the UK & EU. It details the actors currently behind the trade, how the UK government has responded & offers some tentative conclusions about how this may develop in the future theconversation.com/there-has-ne...

Unlike opium, nitazenes and other synthetic opioids can be produced anywhere in the world using precursor chemicals that are often uncontrolled.

The deal that Trump left for his successor Joe Biden was a recipe for the disaster that followed.

I'm pleased to share my take for the @uk.theconversation.com comparing President Trump's disastrous deal with the #Taliban in 2020 with his early strategy for 'peace' talks with Russia over its illegal invasion of #Ukraine: theconversation.com/how-trump-th...