Over at Wired is an article on unconventional threats to the United States that are not being looked at. This article, by John P Sullivan, is titled Gang Threat Could Top Al Qaeda, Mr. President-Elect. The author is a Lieutenant in Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.

Mr Sullivan starts with this paragraph:

While the public and media are occupied with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the potential conflict with Iran, the downward spiral in Pakistan, and a global economic meltdown, a new, rapidly-evolving danger — narco-cartels and gangs — has been developing in Mexico and Latin America. And it has the potential to trump global terrorism as a threat to the United States.

I have to admit that this corresponds closely to my prejudice in this area.

I believe that rather than putting his first foreign policy attention on the Middle East, President Elect Obama should look to the south and reach out to President Felipe Calderon of Mexico.

Mr Sullivan should not be too quickly dismissed. That Wired picked him up is a positive. That is he responsible to the Sheriff's Office for emerging threats is an indication of seriousness. And, I know that he is valued by other national security professionals for his commentary.

Regards -- Cliff