In this episode of 'Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the intricate dynamics of Mexican drug cartels and their impact on both Mexico's political and economic landscape. The discussion delves deep into how drug revenues sustain elites, non-state actors, and insurgencies worldwide — with notable examples from the Taliban to Chechen rebels. They also discuss the potential threats posed by Mexico's porous border to U.S. national security, the global demand for drugs, the implications of drug legalization in first world countries, and the potential geopolitical shifts involving China and the U.S. 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj --- SPONSOR: BEEHIIV Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months --- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: THE RIFF WITH BYRNE HOBART Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486 --- LINKS: Samo’s Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ “Mexico’s Drug Cartels Are Not Competitors to the State” https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/p/mexicos-drug-cartels-are-not-competitors --- FOLLOW US ON X: @eriktorenberg (Erik) @samoburja (Samo) @turpentinemedia (Turpentine) --- TIMESTAMPS: (00:29) The Mexican Cartels: A Deep Dive (01:09) Global Implications of Drug Revenues (04:45) Cartels vs. Government: A Complex Relationship (07:58) The Future of Mexican Cartels (11:25) US-Mexico Relations and Drug Policy (18:30) Sponsor: Beehiiv (19:41) Industrialization and Economic Diversification (28:45) Historical and Global Comparisons (34:25) Conclusion and Final Thoughts (41:44) Outro and Sponsor Messages