Topic: Opium Wars

The hosts connect modern drug trafficking to historical precedents, citing the East India Company's role in the Opium Wars. They reference the final season of Downton Abbey to illustrate the decline of the British elite whose wealth was built on illicit trade. The discussion suggests that the global economy remains heavily dependent on the illicit drug trade and that historical animosities toward American success persist.

The rise in fentanyl overdoses, including the death of actor Michael K. Williams, is linked to the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The discussion explores whether the "leave-behind" equipment in Afghanistan was a strategic move by Mike Pompeo to create a quagmire for China's Belt and Road Initiative.

The historical context of the Opium Wars is explored, highlighting the role of American elites in the 19th-century drug trade. Warren Delano, grandfather of FDR, is identified as a major opium dealer. The segment links historical drug running to the modern fentanyl crisis and the wealth of families like the Forbes.

Opium production in Afghanistan has reportedly risen by 43% in the last year despite billions spent by the U.S. on eradication efforts. The hosts suggest that the military is effectively protecting poppy fields rather than destroying them, as the trade now accounts for 90% of the world's supply.