West Africa presents unique and complex challenges to the security of the United States (US) and critical US interests abroad. Nigeria, the largest and most diplomatically, militarily and economically progressive nation in West Africa, faces severe threats of instability promulgated by the burgeoning terrorist group, Boko Haram. East Africa is the traditional focus of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM); however, there is a compelling need to address West African issues before the region becomes the next primary challenge in the counterinsurgency (COIN) dilemma. Detailed USAFRICOM engagement can...

Despite assertions to the contrary, the violence, drug trafficking and lawlessness that we see in northern Mexico does not constitute on insurgency. Drug cartels have no ideology beyond profit, no political aspirations other than to be left alone, and no popular support beyond that which can be purchased with money or intimidation. They are classic criminal organizations. A counterinsurgency strategy based on the now-famous Field Manual 3-24, written under the auspices of then-LTGs David Petraeus and James Mattis in 2006, is therefore inappropriate for Mexico. Some COIN principles and...

The Global War on Terror has highlighted the importance of understanding the cultural aspects of the operational environment. One of those critical cultural aspects is religion: the role religion plays in society generally, how religion relates to both the protagonists and antagonists in the conflict, and how religion fuels or tempers the fight. With regard to the violent drug war ongoing in Mexico there is the question of the role that religion plays in combating the drug cartels and/or drug-related violence in Mexico. After careful study the inescapable conclusion is that religion is a...

For decades, Thucydides's account of the Peloponnesian War has been a staple of professional military education at American war colleges, the Naval War College especially. And with good reason-he self-consciously supplies his readers a microcosm of all war. With extraordinary drama and scrupulous attention to detail he addresses the fundamental and recurring problems of strategy at all times and places. These include the origins of war, the clashing political objectives of belligerents, the strategies they choose to achieve them, and the likely character of their conflicts. As the war...

The Global War on Terror has highlighted the importance of understanding the cultural aspects of the operational environment. One of those critical cultural aspects is religion: the role religion plays in society generally, how religion relates to both the protagonists and antagonists in the conflict, and how religion fuels or tempers the fight. With regard to the violent drug war ongoing in Mexico there is the question of the role that religion plays in combating the drug cartels and/or drug-related violence in Mexico. After careful study the inescapable conclusion is that religion is a...

Despite assertions to the contrary, the violence, drug trafficking and lawlessness that we see in northern Mexico does not constitute on insurgency. Drug cartels have no ideology beyond profit, no political aspirations other than to be left alone, and no popular support beyond that which can be purchased with money or intimidation. They are classic criminal organizations. A counterinsurgency strategy based on the now-famous Field Manual 3-24, written under the auspices of then-LTGs David Petraeus and James Mattis in 2006, is therefore inappropriate for Mexico. Some COIN principles and...

Nearly all successful insurgencies throughout history have enjoyed some form of external support. Whether it takes the form of political, financial, or military assistance, insurgencies are often dependent upon this support for their survival. It logically follows then that removing that support will severely reduce an insurgency's chances of success. Given the nature of the GWOT, the military planner faces an increasing number of small wars. The first step to winning the hearts and minds is maintaining the security of the population. Disarmament is essential to security.

The United States is planning to deploy Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems in late 2004 for the purpose of national missile defense against rogue nation attack. Part of that deployment is the Initial Defensive Operations (IDO), which will include sea-based and land-based BMD systems in the Western Pacific region. If not carefully counterbalanced IDO risks upsetting the delicate relationship that the United States has maintained with the People's Republic of China (PRC) by nullifying the Chinese nuclear deterrent. In order to avoid provoking Beijing while maintaining a cooperative United...

The debate surrounding forward-deployed Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command and Control (C2) has been conducted since before 1987 when Special Operations Forces were organized under U.S. Special Operations Command. Why the NSW C2 debate continues today is a mystery considering the unambiguous doctrine and l that have been established on the subject. An examination of the variations in theater NSW C2 structures revea there are "doctrine and law offenders" in a chain from the NSW community to the JCS staff. The CJCS approved doctrine governing NSW C2 and the law that supports it are apparently...

Recent United States news headlines regarding scandalous clean energy initiatives and moratoriums on deep water drilling in US waters in the Gulf of Mexico have highlighted America's continuing dependence on foreign oil for roughly half our daily needs. Today, Mexico is a net oil exporting nation and is the third largest exporter of crude oil to the United States. But with their current reserves dwindling, Mexico runs the risk of becoming a net oil importer by 2020. A proper assessment of the oil industry in Mexico is crucial because it is a vital part of their economy & fiscal policy and the...