"Interpol's Centennial Battle: Fighting for Survival"
Interpol, the world's only global crime-fighting organization, is facing challenges to its operating model and funding as geopolitical tensions rise and accusations of political manipulation and complicity in torture are made against its Emirati president. Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock argues that the agency is needed more than ever to tackle international crimes such as child sexual abuse, cybercrime, and drug trafficking. However, Interpol's funding situation is precarious, with tens of millions of euros needed to sustain new systems for data and biometric analysis. The agency's reliance on voluntary contributions and government donors has been criticized, as has its Red Notice alert system, which can be manipulated by repressive regimes. Despite these challenges, Interpol's studied neutrality and low profile have allowed it to be effective in fostering cooperation among its 195 member countries.