Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs – Key Topics

I.  Disrupt and Reduce Illicit Drug Markets and Transnational Crime

The United States is facing the deadliest drug crisis in the country’s history, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and synthetic opioids are the primary driver of the continued increase in drug overdose deaths. Additionally, transnational crime exploits weak institutions, exacerbates societal vulnerabilities, and both enables and perpetuates conflict and fragility. INL’s work to disrupt and reduce illicit drug markets and transnational crime focuses on both supply and demand aspects of illicit substances, as well as the proceeds of criminal activity.

Key focus areas include:

II.  Combat Corruption and Illicit Financing

Corruption fuels transnational crime, wastes public resources, destabilizes countries, and impedes good governance. It is increasingly weaponized by authoritarian states to undermine democracy. Corruption increases the risk that U.S. foreign assistance will be misappropriated, and U.S. attempts to address it may run the risk of inadvertently reinforcing corrupt power structures. As part of its longstanding leadership on this issue, the United States has ensured that the rules-based international system incorporates principles of transparency, integrity, and accountable governance and promotes international standards through the adoption of legally binding treaties, political commitments, and best practices.

Key focus areas include:

III.  Strengthen Criminal Justice Systems 

Democracy can deliver for people around the world. Civilian security institutions and criminal justice systems have an important role in the continuum of international security cooperation, which relies on common international standards and norms, achieved through multilateral engagement.  Effective, resilient, and responsive criminal justice systems are rooted in rule of law and respect for human rights and enhance trust between the government and the population by being inclusive and responsive to the needs of all members of a community.  INL contributes to broad efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and good governance, building resilient partners that are better positioned to contribute to a stable international system and address shared security threats.

Key focus areas include:

IV.  INL Partnerships, Data, and Learning 

The global challenges our country faces are increasingly complex, and solving them requires partnerships, both foreign and domestic, to ensure we are using the very best tools and expertise available to successfully address these issues.  INL works closely with international groups, non-governmental organizations, other U.S. federal agencies, and U.S. state and local criminal justice entities to increase agility, share best practices, optimize resources, and engage with foreign counterparts to build capacity, improve efficiencies, and deliver effective civilian security and criminal justice services.

Key focus areas include:

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future