In the waters off the Caribbean, the United States military has been blowing small boats out of the water – boats they say are carrying drugs.

Now, the Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, is facing questions about whether his strike orders are illegal, and US President Donald Trump is doubling down, threatening strikes on Venezuelan soil.

It’s the latest escalation in Donald Trump’s self-declared war on fentanyl – a campaign that casts foreign traffickers as the villains behind America’s overdose crisis.

But the origin of America’s fentanyl problem lies much closer to home, inside the country’s own pharmaceutical industry.

Today, drug historian at The University of Buffalo, Professor David Herzberg, on how the fentanyl crisis really started and why the war to stop it could make everything worse.

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Guest: Drug historian at The University of Buffalo, Professor David Herzberg

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Adele Ferguson is an investigative journalist at the ABC. She’s spent more than a year reporting on the crisis unfolding in Australia’s childcare system.

Last week, alongside her colleague Chris Gillett, she won the top honour in journalism – the Gold Walkley.

Her work has inspired us at 7am and so today, we’re bringing you an episode we made back in July, where we spoke to Adele about the dangers in an industry driven by profit.

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Guest: Investigative journalist at Four Corners Adele Ferguson and National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds.

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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When Labor came to power, it promised to clean up politics – to end the “jobs for mates” culture once and for all. But this week, the government quietly released the report it’s been sitting on for more than two years – and it’s not a great look.

The ‘No Favourites’ review found an appointments system riddled with nepotism, where friends are given jobs as rewards for loyalty. And when it finally saw the light of day, it landed with all the energy of a Yes Minister episode — open government, in name only.

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on the government’s integrity problem, and why transparency always seems to be the last priority.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.