Adjoint L-functions for GL(3) and U(2,1)

We show that the finite part of the adjoint $L$ function (including contributions from all nonarchimedean places, including ramified places) is holomorphic in $\Re(s) \ge 1/2$ for a cuspidal automorphic representation of $GL_3$ over a number field. This improves the main result of [H16]. We obtain more general results for twisted adjoint $L$ functions of both $GL_3$ and quasisplit unitary groups. For unitary groups, we explicate the relationship between poles of twisted adjoint $L$ functions, endoscopy, and the structure of the stable base change lifting.