U.S. Southwest Border Security: An Operational Approach

At the U.S. southwest border there exists the intersection of two distinct cultures, economies, political systems, and ideas of what comprises the national security interests of the U.S. and Mexico. Those security interests stem from a desire to prosper in the global economy while assuring the safety and security of their respective populations. While the expeditious flow of licit capital, goods, and people across the southwest border provides for the national prosperity of the U.S. and Mexico, it remains a source of vulnerability to the national security and prosperity of each country as well. The vulnerabilities at the border include illegal migration, illicit trafficking in arms, drugs, people and black market goods, and the drug-related violence and impunity in certain areas that permit illegal activities. Analysis of the transnational criminal networks reveals vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the U.S. using a whole of government approach to isolate and disintegrate key nodes of the network. A regionally focused task force that integrates interdiction, investigative and prosecutorial capabilities and provides unity of effort at the operational level will enable the U.S. to effectively target and disrupt and dismantle the networks of Mexican based transnational criminal organizations engaged in illicit trafficking of drugs, people, weapons, and their illicit proceeds. Prepared for: CGSC 12-01 Southwest Border Security Scholars Seminar

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