Morning Brief: Attention turns to Mexico

Top Story Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting Mexico today in what many see as a critical juncture in U.S.-Mexican relations. The Obama administration announced yesterday that it is sending additional federal agents and equipment to the United States’ border to prevent spillover from Mexico’s drug violence and keep cash and guns from heading ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.
587489_090325_mexico2.jpg
587489_090325_mexico2.jpg
OTAY MESA, CA - MARCH 24: Trucks coming from Mexico prepare to enter the highway after crossing the border March 24, 2009 in Otay Mesa, California. Mexico last week slapped higher tariffs on an estimated $2.4 billion worth of goods entering the country from the U.S. in response to a move by Congress to end a pilot program allowing Mexican trucks to operate in the U.S. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Top Story

Top Story

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting Mexico today in what many see as a critical juncture in U.S.-Mexican relations. The Obama administration announced yesterday that it is sending additional federal agents and equipment to the United States’ border to prevent spillover from Mexico’s drug violence and keep cash and guns from heading south.“I think if one U.S. citizen is killed because of foreign nationals who are engaging in violent crime, that’s enough of a concern to do something about it,” Obama said.

Mexicans, for the most part, reacted positively to the plan, though senior Mexican military officers expressed concern about the possibility of U.S. national guard troops being sent to the border, as Texas Governor Rick Perry has requested. Obama has, so far, made no mention of sending troops.

The visit also come at a time when the 15-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement seems in danger from a growing climate of protectionism. The U.S. recently passed restrictions on Mexican trucks crossing the border and Mexico has responded by slapping tariffs on U.S. goods.

Americas

In a primetime press conference, President Barack Obama said he was beginning to see “signs of progress” in the U.S. economic recovery.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that the AIG situation highlighted the need for more comprehensive financial regulation.

Four soldiers were killed in a rebel attack in Colombia.

Europe

A former Sinn Fein politician was charged with killing a police officer in Northern Ireland.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek lost a no-confidence vote in parliament but has not yet resigned.

The IMF agreed to a $27 billion loan for Romania.

Africa

Sudanese President Omar al Bashir visited Egypt where he was hosted by President Hosni Mubarak, despite the international warrant for his arrest.

The IMF says Zimbabwe must pay its debt before it receives more aid.

Madagascar’s new leader offered to start talks with allies of the president he ousted in a military coup.

Middle East

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu promised that his government would puruse peace but made no mention of Palestinian statehood.

Gulf states have been delayed in their plan to introduce a single currency for the region.

The U.S. military says attacks in Iraq are at their lowest level since 2003.

Asia

Japanese exports fell by half in February.

India is seeking to play a greater role in stabilizing Afghanistan.

North Korea has charged the two U.S. reporters it has detained with espionage.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

Tag: Mexico

More from Foreign Policy

A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.
A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.

No, the World Is Not Multipolar

The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.

A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.
A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want

Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.
The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.

America Can’t Stop China’s Rise

And it should stop trying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.

The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky

The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.