PRI and the Beyond Merida Initiative

Abstract

The rapidly evolving and highly volatile situation along the U.S.-Mexico border continuously requires both countries to devote precious resources to this region. If not controlled, the damage from unrestrained immigration, drug trafficking, and violence could be devastating to both countries. The Merida Initiative, which has framed bilateral border security cooperation between the United States and Mexico since 2007, is evolving in response to this threat. Its successor, framed as Beyond Merida, proposes a new focus along with associated resources. Concurrently, the Government of Mexico (GOM) will likely change as a result of the 2012 Mexican national election. The imminent changes in both Beyond Merida and the GOM warrant an examination. By analyzing the central tenets of Beyond Merida and comparing them to the current and future political situation in Mexico, this paper shows that the election will have little or no adverse effect on Beyond Merida. Then, drawing on lessons learned from current operations, this paper recommends methods to monitor the ongoing effect the GOM will have on Beyond Merida.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555293

Entities

People

  • Thomas H. Isom

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Border Security
  • Cooperation
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Department Of State
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Elections
  • Foreign Aid
  • Foreign Relations
  • Governments
  • Human Rights
  • Military Operations
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • Political Systems
  • Security
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies