I mean, yes, they could, but would they? What would be the realistic result of such an action? Would the US then stop and go “Well, I guess we’ll have to stop antagonizing the cartels.”. I would guess that such a thing would instead be a Pearl Harbor moment, and I think the cartels know this, too. The cartels don’t want to act out your personal nightmare scenario; they want to do things to make the US stop bothering the cartels. Instead of mindlessly scare-mongering, figure out what that action would be, and ask yourself if a war with the cartels is worth it. It might or might not be, but be realistic about it.
What else might that war teach us?
There are 10 million Mexican-Americans by birth in America, and 37 million by ancestry. If America went to war with Mexico, I fear there would be efforts to intern Mexican-Americans as Japanese-Americans once were.
Such a war is a horrible idea for everybody. It would create conditions in Mexico and America that are far worse than the present status quo.
This is not a description of what I think should happen, which is this: American and Mexico should not go to war, because it would inevitably lead to a human rights disaster.
War is not a game where each side gradually loses their “restraint”. Instead, each side carefully considers each possible action and its consequences, and then does whatever action seems to lead to the best end result.
Yes, the do that when their enemies are individual people, since that tactic works on those. I doubt the same tactics would work on armies or nation states.
> so they can watch those people die in a gas cloud.
You still seem to think that the cartels do things merely for their own cruel amusement. I, on the other hand, believe that cruel amusement is luxury which they allow themselves only as long as it works.
I agree with you on this. I also think it would absolutely work, just like it works in Mexico. I also think it would be the first choice of people accustomed to it working.
I feel that the U.S. Army would not respond favorably to terrorism.
> I also think it would be the first choice of people accustomed to it working.
Well, that may be true; they might be stupid enough to do that. I couldn’t really say; I’m just a random person on the internet without any special knowledge of their psychology.
Occasionally the cartel and Texas guard do exchange fire.
This isn’t something the government hopes doesn’t happen: it’s something they actively work hard at everyday to ensure doesn’t happen.
A thousand man force is a battalion. The cartels have no real armor and no air support. No heavy weapons. No training.
The US Army fields 31 brigades. A brigade is 5 battalions.
For every cartel member in your theoretical force, there are ~149 trained, armed, active duty service members in deployable condition for combat roles.
That doesn't include artillery, sustainment, the US Airforce or the US Navy. I am also not including guard teams which are another 27 brigades.
Your theoretical cartel force would also have to go through the Texas State Guard (1,700 people) and US Border Patrol.
We are spending billions of dollars and killing many Russian soldiers and civilians to fight Putin, but Mexico is responsible for more American deaths and mayhem than Putin ever dream of.
The inevitable result is a massive human rights disaster, that makes the present status quo look like paradise.