South America, the U.S.'s New Middle East

Middle East wars are winding down (at least American involvement is scaling back) and the military will need new venues at which to aim their sights.  


Enter South America and its decades-long drug war.  It remains to be seen whether military and political leaders have learned anything from nearly twenty years of Middle East conflict.  Will drones, planes, and boats simply start buzzing various drug-manufacturing and shipping regions?  Or will the U.S. first (instead of later) embark on a coordinated mission to defeat narco-terrorism?  This New York Times article is hopefully a harbinger of things to come minus the possible deaths of innocent men and women.  


South America presents its own unique set of problems too many to list here.  It also presents a unique opportunity for the U.S. to get things right the first time.  Using smaller military units, engaging the local populace, providing alternatives to drug-running, and cooperating and coordinating efforts with local and national governments is sure to net positive results.  Americans (displaying both might and good will) will probably be a welcome sight.  The more mistakes we make however, the faster we wear out our welcome...again.