Open to Debate Should the U.S. Militarize the War on Drugs?
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Nov 21, 2025 In a heated debate, Sean McFate, a strategy professor and former Army officer, and Andrés Martínez-Fernández, a Latin America policy analyst, argue for using military force against drug cartels, likening them to quasi-states. Opposing them are Will Freeman, a CF resident fellow, and Aileen Teague, a former Marine, who highlight the risks of civilian casualties and the failure of militarization in past interventions. They advocate for diplomatic strategies and emphasize the need for effective demand reduction. The discussion navigates complex legal and ethical repercussions.
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Drugs As A Threat To National Security
- Sean McFate reframes drug policy as a fight against organized 'thugs' rather than individual users or low-level dealers.
- He argues the Department of Defense should be one of many tools used to confront transnational cartels threatening U.S. security.
Prioritize Diplomacy And Demand Reduction
- Do not rely on military escalation alone; invest in diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and demand reduction domestically.
- Aileen Teague urges integrating law enforcement with institutional reform rather than defaulting to armed force.
Cartels As Powerful Transnational Actors
- Andrés Martínez-Fernández contends cartels now rival or exceed many state forces in reach and capability.
- He argues neglect of hemispheric security justifies using the U.S. military among other national-security tools.
