Is the threat of transnational gangs, narco-terrorist, and rising violence levels important, relevant, and one that should be discussed from town hall meetings to the halls of Congress? Most definitely
Is this topic currently ignored by the press and average citizen more concerned with the financial crisis? Absolutely unless they are immediately affected by the violence
The issue is one of many complex, wicked problems that possibly threaten the security and future of the US. The risk you run when trying to describe the potential danger is walking the fine line between informing the uniformed and sounding alarmist.
This risk is nothing new to our nation: look at the buildup to WWI, WWII, the events in Vietnam to some degree, and the current lack of interest in the war in Iraq. The ambivalence and often willful ignorance of our nation is one of traits, for better or worse.
That’s why I was initially shocked by the events in Salinas, CA. I grew up in both rural and suburbia North Carolina. I redeployed back from my third trip from Iraq to find a community that resembled in a smaller version the violence overseas.
I would suggest that the striking difference between the drug war and COIN is the ideology, beliefs, and value systems driving the enemy actors. The drug lords are concerned about profit not taking over a state so they will strive to keep their levels of violence just below the radar of provoking too much attention. On the other hand, insurgents want to introduce an alternative form of governance.
v/r
Mike
Bookmarks