In the modern world, 20 years seems a long time to be at war, but it is hardly surprising when the enemy is as elusive, and pervasive, as HIV―the virus that causes the disease AIDS. It is two decades since scientists first identified the cause of what was a baffling new syndrome ravaging immune systems and destroying lives. Since then, AIDS has gone from being the scourge of relatively small groups, such as homosexuals and intravenous-drug users in rich countries, to arguably the biggest threat to life and prosperity in the developing world. Although the epidemic continues to tear across Africa, Asia and Latin America, there is much optimism among policymakers and public-health experts that the battle against the disease has reached a turning point. Anti-AIDS programmes are growing larger and more coherent. And there is a growing political commitment to ensure that more money is spent and, crucially, new methods are exploited, in getting AIDS drugs to poor people.
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