U.S. Border Security: An Integrated Approach

Abstract

This paper examines the growing U.S. security concerns along the U.S.-Mexican border due to the crime and violence brought on by the drug trade. Analysis of the drug trade and its impact on security indicate that the Merida/Beyond Merida Initiative by itself is not increasing security along the southern border. This paper recommends an integrated approach along three lines of effort (LOE) as a more effective means of increasing security on the border. LOE 1 examines Mexican institutions; LOE 2 examines the flow of weapons and money to drug trafficking organizations; and LOE 3 examines U.S. drug demand. The paper explains how each LOE contributes to this integrated approach, and it recommends changes to the Beyond Merida Initiative and U.S. policy to improve border security.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555201

Entities

People

  • Barry A. Gaertner

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Border Security
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Law Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement Officers
  • Mental Health Services
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Police
  • Public Policy
  • Security
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.