Dr. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a leading expert on the political aspects of the international illicit drug trade, will give a talk on the topic Monday, Feb. 5 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Karls Hall 101.

In “The Global Synthetic Drugs Revolution: Its Geopolitical Implications and Impact Across Latin America,” Felbab-Brown will focus on the synthetic drug trade, which includes fentanyl, methamphetamine and captagon, and how that trade affects Latin America.

The event is free and open to the public.

Brookings Institution expert focuses on political aspects of drug trade

Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, was invited to speak by the Master of International Affairs program, located within the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

“We were interested in someone who could discuss the international illicit drug trade from a political perspective—that is, with some focus on governments and their policies,” said Dr. Gabriel Ondetti, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Political Science and director of the Master of International Affairs program.

“We were particularly interested in a talk that would devote some attention to the trade in fentanyl, given the alarming number of overdose deaths associated with that drug in the United States in recent years,” Ondetti added.

“There is growing public awareness of the dangers of synthetic drugs, but less knowledge about how and why those drugs enter the U.S. market,” Ondetti continued. “Dr. Felbab-Brown will help us understand that issue. She’ll also contribute to our understanding of how the synthetic drug trade affects our neighbors in Latin America, which is a major supplier of such drugs to the United States.”

A timely and relevant topic

Ondetti believes the talk is timely and relevant to students, faculty and the Springfield community.

“The topic hits close to home for many people on our campus and in our local community, given the impact that fentanyl and other synthetic drugs are having in terms of addiction and fatalities,” he said.

Ondetti hopes audience members will gain more understanding of how broader economic and political processes contribute to drug problems in the United States, Latin America and other parts of the world.

Expert speakers bring learning opportunities to MSU

Students and faculty encounter tremendous learning opportunities when experts like Felbab-Brown visit MSU, Ondetti said.

They are exposed to “cutting edge work” from major research institutions while gaining greater understanding of the issues shaping American society and public policies, he added.

Mark your calendar