Chris, Zack, and Melanie have a chat about how Mexico is handling the drug cartels, which continue to perpetrate terrible violence and facilitate massive corruption in the country. Can President Claudia Sheinbaum enact an anti-cartel strategy that will reduce the violence? Are institutions in government and the private sector too corrupt for any strategy to succeed? Will Trump, whose patience with Sheinbaum is limited, order military strikes on cartel targets in Mexico? And does she have any leverage to prevent this?

Chris recognizes the life and legacy of Brian Finlay, Stimson’s President and CEO, who passed away on June 3rd, Melanie is thrilled that there is finally a signature project for AUKUS Pillar II, and Zack is unhappy about the Secretary of Defense describing Pentagon policy as “speaking softly while carrying a big stick,” when “quiet, clear, disciplined, and steady” are not terms that correspond to this administration.

*The Net Assessment Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.