Mexican Drug Cartels and Al Qaeda: Credible Link or Impracticable Alliance

Abstract

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 a pressing question arises. Why has there not been an al Qaeda attack or attempted attack within the United States homeland originating from the southern border? Additionally, would the Mexican drug cartels collaborate with al Qaeda? Through examining the strategic objectives, operational objectives, methods, and organizational transformations of al Qaeda and the Mexican drug cartels, this paper concludes that cooperation among the two entities is highly unlikely. It is true that the two entities share some methods; however, their organizational goals are antithetical and divergent. This paper explains the complexities that have prevented a partnership from ever emerging between the Mexican drug cartels and al Qaeda.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 2011
Accession Number
AD1082630

Entities

People

  • John F. Nolden

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alliances
  • Commerce
  • Counterterrorism
  • Criminals
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Societies
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.