Given my father's position as chief engineer at a local (though Israeli-owned) military technology firm, the international roles of weapon and technology distributors have always been of great interest to me. With military presence in the Middle East and Afghanistan gradually deteriorating, the lucrative American market of military technology distribution needs to feed from a new source of international conflict, and the spreading criminal violence and rising power of drug cartels in Mexico may be the perfect way to reinvigorate an industry. The State Department has pledged nearly $2 billion in drug war aid to Mexico since 2008, much of it available to U.S. companies that can provide equipment or services to the besieged Mexican state. With Mexico's more aggressive response to drug lords following the election of President Felipe Calderon, the state is very appealing to domestic distributors, though many argue it could never match what US companies faced in the Middle East. Mexico's stern anti-gun legislation makes it increasingly difficult for military contractors to be stationed there. Thus, contractors with notable military skill are of less value, while strategists prove a great asset despite being unarmed. Facing continued hostility within Mexico and limited carrying laws, Mexico may never prove as lucrative a battleground, but may quite likely become the hotspot for military contractors in the years to come.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/security-contractors-see-new-opportunities-in-mexico/2012/01/03/gIQAUj3wSQ_story_1.html
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