Mexico or Afghanistan? Misplaced Priorities

Rhino at Tiger Tops Game Preserve, Nepal. Photo by JoAnn Sturman

Scott Sturman
fliesinyoureyes.com

“Don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are.” James W. Frick

In terms of risk and benefit one wonders why United States foreign policy places a high priority on stabilizing Afghanistan while virtually ignoring Mexico. When comparing these countries, it is obvious America is expending much effort and many resources on a very small player.

By comparison the two countries are not close in size, population, gross domestic product (GDP), infrastructure, or life expectancy. In fact one can make the argument that Afghanistan is really not a country but an amalgam of competing tribes thrown together by Europeans and united only by hatred for a common enemy. An Afghani will identify himself as a Muslim and by tribal affiliation, while a Mexican is a Mexican first and foremost.

In the late 1700's and early 1800's the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh successfully drove the Afghans from the Indus River valley and through the Khyber Pass. They conquered Peshawar but never subjugated their enemy or governed Afghanistan. From the outset the British realized the futility of garrisoning troops north of the Khyber and made little effort to permanently occupy the land. Punitive expeditions were launched from time to time to undermine the power of cantankerous war lords, but withdrawal quickly ensued, and the locals were soon fighting among themselves. For all of our loft intentions, energy, and military capability it is difficult to conceive that the United States will fare any differently.

By land area Mexico is the 15th largest country in the world. It is three times the size of Afghanistan and bordered by two oceans, whereas the latter has little arable land and is tucked away in rugged, mountainous terrain. In terms of population Mexico is the world's 11th largest country with 112 million people compared to Afghanistan's 41 million. Mexican life expectancy is 72 years compared to the Afghan's 41 years, even as the Afghani birth rate is double that of the Mexicans. Regarding GDP, Mexico has the 12th largest economy in the world – 54 times that of Afghanistan. Economically, Afghanistan’s only distinction is it is by far the largest producer of opium in the world. Mexico shares a 1969 mile long border with the United States while Kabul, Afghanistan, is 7000 miles from Washington, D.C. Culturally, the United States shares a rich heritage with Mexico and 15% or 46 million people living here claim Hispanic ethnicity. The influence of Afghan culture on the United States is vanishingly small.

This is not to say the United States should abandon its interest in Afghanistan, but we should learn our lesson from history. Good intelligence and aggressive use of special operations forces go a long way to quietly protect our interests in the area, while reducing expenses and freeing our military from a war that cannot be won in the conventional sense.

On the other hand an unstable, lawless Mexico represents a considerable threat to our national security. At times it seems as if the war against the drug lords cannot be won, yet many Americans do not realize an even more violent and disruptive situation occurred in Colombia twenty years ago as the Cali and Medellin cocaine cartels ravaged the country. Despite the seemingly hopeless nature of the conflict, it was solved with a comprehensive approach that can be applied to Mexico. See: FIYE "Can Mexico Be Saved?" 12/5/2010

We should be fighting the battle waging at our doorstep against the cartels' murderous thugs who kill indiscriminately and smuggle hard core drugs into our country. They represent an overt threat to our economy, safety of our citizens, and civilized behavior. A strong, stable ally on our southern border is the best option for the United States. It is time to tidy things up a bit and help a neighbor and friend and play a smarter game in the Afghan hinterland.