Strategic Studies Institute
United States Army War College

A "New" Dynamic in the Western Hemisphere Security Environment: The Mexican Zetas and Other Private Armies

Authored by Dr. Max G. Manwaring.

Brief Synopsis

This monograph is intended to help political, military, policy, opinion, and academic leaders think strategically about explanations, consequences, and responses that might apply to the volatile and dangerous new dynamic that has inserted itself into the already crowded Mexican and hemispheric security arena, that is, the privatized Zeta military organization. In Mexico, this new dynamic involves the migration of traditional hard-power national security and sovereignty threats from traditional state and nonstate adversaries to hard and soft power threats from professional private nonstate military organizations. This dynamic also involves a more powerful and ambiguous mix of terrorism, crime, and conventional war tactics, operations, and strategies than experienced in the past. Moreover, this violence and its perpetrators tend to create and consolidate semi-autonomous enclaves (criminal free-states) that develop in to quasi-states—and what the Mexican government calls “Zones of Impunity.” All together, these dynamics not only challenge Mexican security, stability, and sovereignty, but, if left improperly understood and improperly countered, also challenge the security and stability of the United States and Mexico’s other neighbors.

Survey: A "New" Dynamic in the Western Hemisphere Security Environment: The Mexican Zetas and Other Private Armies

1. How would you rate the writing and overall quality?

ExcellentGoodAverageBelow AveragePoor

2. Is the content relevant for influencing present and future debates?

YesNoNo Opinion

Your Comments (No URLs Allowed):

If you'd like a reply to your comments provide your email:
(optional)

You may also be interested in the following titles:

YouTube War: Fighting in a World of Cameras in Every Cell Phone and Photoshop on Every Computer
A Case Study in Security Sector Reform: Learning from Security Sector Reform/Building in Afghanistan (October 2002-September 2003
India's Strategic Defense Transformation: Expanding Global Relationships
Guide to Rebuilding Public Sector Services in Stability Operations: A Role for the Military

Also by the Author/Editor:

State and Nonstate Associated Gangs: Credible "Midwives of New Social Orders"
A Contemporary Challenge to State Sovereignty: Gangs and Other Illicit Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in Central America, El Salvador, Mexico, Jamaica, and Brazil
Latin America's New Security Reality: Irregular Asymmetric Conflict and Hugo Chavez
Defense, Development, and Diplomacy (3D): Canadian and U.S. Military Perspectives
The Challenge of Governance and Security
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Bolivarian Socialism, and Asymmetric Warfare
Strategic Opportunities: Charting New Approaches to Defense and Security Challenges in the Western Hemisphere
Street Gangs: The New Urban Insurgency

View other pubs in the following categories:

Era of Persistent Conflict
Homeland Security and Defense
War and Society
Western Hemisphere
Mexico
United States