THE U.S. RISKS FAILURE IF IT INTERVENES MILITARILY IN MEXICO
Former U.S. intelligence officer Scott Ritter recently warned that if Washington launches a military campaign against Mexican drug cartels, it could face a catastrophic failure.
Expert Warning
On the social media platform X, Scott Ritter responded to American entrepreneur Elon Musk’s statement that Mexican drug cartels could only be eradicated through a special U.S. military operation. The former officer recalled America’s painful experience in Mogadishu, Somalia, where a military operation failed and Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. He emphasized that if the U.S. deployed special forces into Mexico, the consequences would be severe:
“We will fail if we enter Mexico. U.S. soldiers will be slaughtered on their soil,” Scott Ritter warned.
According to him, the U.S. cannot fully control the war against drug cartels, and maintaining a permanent military presence in Mexico is unfeasible. The cartels could retaliate by launching attacks within the U.S., causing disastrous consequences.
“Delta Force may eliminate some targets, but then the cartels will blow up a shopping mall in Kansas City. We will be drawn into an endless cycle of conflict,” he added.
Beyond Scott Ritter, many experts also believe that a unilateral U.S. military intervention in Mexico would face strong backlash. With abundant weaponry, drug cartels would not hesitate to use violence in retaliation, putting both American soldiers and civilians at risk, especially in popular tourist areas like Cancun.
UKRAINE DEPLOYS LONG-RANGE UAVs AS A BREAKTHROUGH ON THE BATTLEFIELD
The Ukrainian military has announced the deployment of a new long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying 250 kg bombs and striking targets up to 2,000 km away.
Ukraine’s UAV Breakthrough
According to a report from Defense Express, Ukraine has already used this new UAV in recent attacks on Russian territory. The Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Force (USF) claimed this is an advanced design that could alter the battlefield dynamics.
Since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian engineers have continuously improved UAV technology. With the ability to carry bombs and return to base for reuse, this UAV model can execute multiple missions until it is shot down or runs out of power. This capability allows Ukraine to increase the frequency and scale of attacks deep into Russian territory.
Additionally, the USF revealed that Ukraine’s 14th UAV Regiment has been conducting strategic strikes on Russian rear positions for over a year. They also urged the media to rely only on official sources to maintain the confidentiality of military operations.
Notably, Ukraine’s UAVs are not designed for suicide missions but for reuse. This means that after dropping bombs, they can return to base for further missions. As a result, Ukraine can maximize its UAV resources in this prolonged war.
U.S. CONSIDERS A STRATEGY TO END THE RUSSIA–UKRAINE CONFLICT
Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy for Russia and Ukraine under former President Donald Trump, recently revealed that Trump has a viable plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s Negotiation Strategy
According to Fox News, the U.S. is considering exerting pressure not only on Moscow but also on Kyiv to push for a peace settlement. Volker emphasized that Donald Trump understands how to leverage diplomacy and apply the right amount of pressure to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
“Trump knows how to negotiate and use leverage. That’s why his plan could be viable,” Volker stated.
Sources suggest that Trump could pressure both Russia and Ukraine into agreeing to a ceasefire within months if he is elected in the 2024 presidential race. However, questions remain about the feasibility of this plan as the conflict continues to escalate.
UKRAINE ACCELERATES MISSILE PRODUCTION TO COUNTER RUSSIA
The Ukrainian government is focusing on developing its missile industry to enhance its defense capabilities against Russia.
Ukraine’s Missile Ambitions
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine produced 100 missiles in 2024 and aims to manufacture 3,000 cruise missiles or missile-hybrid UAVs by 2025.
According to Mykhailo Samus, director of the Ukrainian Geopolitical Research Network, Ukraine needs to produce thousands of missiles not only for defense but also for conducting long-range attacks.
“We must surpass Russia in this field,” Samus stressed.
However, many experts believe that Ukraine’s missile production capabilities may be exaggerated. Many of the country’s weapons factories were destroyed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and have continued to suffer airstrikes since the war with Russia began in 2022.
Ukraine’s Key Missile Programs
Some of the notable missiles Ukraine is developing include:
• Neptune: An anti-ship cruise missile that was used to sink Russia’s Moskva cruiser in 2022.
• Hrim-2: A long-range ballistic missile capable of reaching Moscow, designed to evade Russia’s S-400 air defense system.
• Rome-2: A ballistic missile carrying a 480 kg warhead, with a range of up to 700 km.
• Cruise Missile Kun: Ukraine’s next-generation anti-ship cruise missile.
While Ukraine’s ambitions are significant, ramping up missile production will face many challenges, particularly due to ongoing Russian attacks on its defense industrial facilities.
The information above provides an overview of the current international military situation, highlighting key developments involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia. As tensions escalate, strategic decisions in the coming months will significantly impact the global landscape.
