Authors: Dr Jordi Diez, COL Ian Nicholls
After the 9/11 attacks on the United States, homeland defense became the primary issue in U.S. defense policy. It was clear that homeland defense would have to become a trilateral continental issue and include Canada and Mexico. Because the United States and Canada already had developed a relatively close relationship during and after World War II, as a result of their common interests and efforts in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and NORAD (North American Air Defense), it became important to become more knowledgeable regarding the Mexican armed forces. The authors are well-acquainted with the Mexican armed forces, and have developed a keen awareness of the Mexican defense establishment.