IPS’ Drug Policy Project invites you to a brown-bag discussion with John Ross. Militarization of the border has turned Mexico into an annex of “The Wire.” Drugs stay in the country longer these days and invariably leak into the Mexican marketplace fomenting intense commercial rivalries between the cartels.

John Ross will recount how President Felipe Calderon launched his ill-conceived war on drugs to curry favor with the Bush and Obama administrations to invest his fraudulently won office with military authority. Ross will discuss the U.S. use of the fear of a drug war spillover to pressure the Mexican government for economic advantage. What does Washington want? Attend this brownbag and find out.

John Ross has covered five Mexican drug wars since 1985 and knows where the bodies are buried. His latest cult classic is El Monstruo – Dread & Redemption in Mexico City.

This talk will be moderated by John Cavanagh, director of IPS. Following Mr. Ross’ presentation will be concluding comments by IPS associate fellow Manuel Pérez-Rocha, who directs the NAFTA Plus and the SPP Advocacy Project, part of the IPS Global Economy Project.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to netfa@ips-dc.org