I posted here about drug violence in Mexico– It’s still going strong, now accompanied by some good old-fashioned vigilanteism.  In San Diego, the violence has even prompted military commanders to limit the ability of their charges to carouse in Mexico.

The violence may also be threatening Mexican stability, according to the U.S. Joint Forces Command on worldwide security threats.  A recent report says Mexico is vulnerable to ”a rapid and sudden collapse,” rivaled only by the instability of Pakistan [Reported in the El Paso Times].  I myself think there are graver threats to Mexican stability, like deep poverty and the demise of electoral democracy.  If there is indeed a threat of Mexican collapse, what are viable options for the U.S.?  We are already pumping in billions of dollars in security assistance, but as usual that money is unfettered and likely to create more problems than it solves.  I am not ready to believe that drugs are really the issue here.