By Jonathan Kelman
15 Sep 2009 |
World Politics Review
What effect has the increase in illicit flows had on states and their
power in the international system? The dominant perspective in answer to this question is that illicit flows empower nonstate actors at the expense of states. This ignores the ways in which some states may, in fact, find substantial benefits to be gained from the presence of or access to
illicit flows.
By Hal Brands
15 Sep 2009 |
World Politics Review
Originally composed of 31 army deserters who went to work for a cartel
boss, Los Zetas have evolved over the past decade into a sophisticated
criminal enterprise with more than 1,000 members. Having begun
as hired guns, the Zetas now represent the single greatest threat to
the Mexican state. On the heels of their meteoric rise within Mexico, they are now embracing a broader international agenda.