This short but timely article on why “War on the Cartels” through military intervention into Mexico is not a sound idea. I agree with most of this article, in that over the last 50 years we have invested enormous sums of money into fighting the supply side of the cartels. The results have been limited and not affected the demand or ability of the cartels to supply the demand. I also agree that a strategy of working through and with the Mexican military is a better approach. But even that approach will have limited success when some of the 80% profits of the drug trade are used to pay off judges, police officers and politicians.
In Shadow Sanction - Wolf speaks to winning battles but not the war. It’s 2003 in the book and Afghanistan has been left for the war in Iraq. The military is focused on counterterrorism and the State Department and DEA are just beginning to develop their programs. Once again, it’s a supply side fight, until Wolf and Kennedy decide to dismantle a new French Connection and it’s Union Corsa mafia underpinnings. The story of Shadow Sanction is transnational, taking place in the US, Germany, France, Iran, and Afghanistan. Do Wolf and Shadow Tier win? Read it and let me know your thoughts.
“War with the Cartels Is More Complicated Than It Sounds”
Small Wars Journal
Michael L. Burgoyne and Albert J. Marckwardt
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