re: "How serious is the threat from Mexico?"

The Phibian at Cdr Salamander ("Proactively “From the Sea”; leveraging the littoral best practices for a paradigm breaking six-sigma best business case to synergize a consistent design in the global commons, rightsizing the core values
supporting our mission statement via the 5-vector model through cultural
diversity.") noted an assignment of significance.

Money quote(s):

"You can often judge the importance a nation sees things something in the world by who they send to keep an eye on it."

Mexico City got a new American defense attaché.

"Three time All-American wrestler, Navy SEAL, and married to an astronaut with whom he has had four children."

Interesting background. Wonder if someone in D.C.'s been reading their W.E.B. Griffin.

12/13

NYT - U.S. Envoy Is Cleared of Fraud on Chinese Arms

From my archive of press clippings:

New York Times

U.S. Envoy Is Cleared of Fraud on Chinese Arms


By ERIC SCHMITT


Published: March 18, 2009


WASHINGTON — The United States ambassador to Albania has been cleared of allegations that he helped cover up the illegal Chinese origins of ammunition that a Pentagon contractor bought to supply Afghan security forces, the State Department said Wednesday.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Last year, a military attaché at the embassy told investigators from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that the ambassador, John L. Withers II, endorsed a plan by the Albanian defense minister to hide several boxes of Chinese ammunition from a visiting reporter. The ammunition was being repackaged to disguise its origins and shipped from Albania to Afghanistan by a Miami Beach arms-dealing company, AEY Inc.

Mr. Withers, a Foreign Service officer for 25 years, adamantly denied the account of the attaché, Maj. Larry D. Harrison II, and said he and other embassy personnel worked closely with federal investigators looking into military procurement fraud."