France’s Harsh New Prison Regime Exposes Global Crime Networks While Highlighting Leadership Vacuums in Western Democracies

In an era when criminal networks operate with transnational impunity, France’s recent decision to isolate its most dangerous drug kingpins in an ultra-secure prison is more than a domestic law enforcement measure—it is a stark reminder of the rising global threat posed by organized crime. Under Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, France has transferred 100 inmates described as its "biggest criminals" into Vendin-le-Vieil, a maximum-security facility echoing American "Supermax" prisons. This move aims to sever the tentacles of narco-trafficking from inside the prison walls, but it also exposes broader questions about effective leadership and security policies across Western democracies. Is Locking...