The Andes

Bolivia tilting back to prohibitionist stance?

Bolivia broached legislation that would impose criminal penalties for illict coca cultivation—just as the government has turned to Russia for military and anti-narcotics aid.

Southeast Asia

Burmese opium farmers protest eradication

As ethnic insurgencies continue, opium-growers in Burma's northern mountains issued a statement demanding a halt to eradication programs as essential to any peace deal.

Southeast Asia

Burma: will ceasefire wind down opium war?

Burma’s regime signs a "national ceasefire" with ethnic rebels in the opium-producing north ahead of historic elections—but the biggest rebel armies didn’t sign on.

South Asia

India: Naga rebels divided over peace deal

Rival factions of India's longest running ethnic insurgency are divided on whether to accept a peace deal with the government—as Delhi turns up military heat on the hold-outs.

Southeast Asia

Burma opium war spills into China

After weeks of escalating tensions along the remote mountain border, a Burmese MiG-29 fighter jet carried out an air-strike on Chinese territory, killing four farm workers. 

Southeast Asia

Will Burma opium war draw in China?

The latest fighting in Burma's opium-producing hinterlands involves a Han Chinese ethnic group, the Kokang. Some 50,000 have fled across the border into China.

Southeast Asia

Harsh abuses seen in Burma opium war

Despite a democratic opening and hopes for peace with ethnic insurgencies, horrific accounts of rights abuses continue to emerge from Burma's opium-producing hinterlands.