Developing Situation

I meant to write about this yesterday, but got sidetracked, narcissistically, listening to my own voice on the radio*: the US has announced that Mexico would participate in a series of naval exercises later over the next month, with the goal of strengthening the countries' capacity to combat drug trafficking. Such participation by the Mexican navy would be a first, and would continue the recent increase in communication between the nations' militaries. However, there's a bit of a problem: it is illegal without the approval of the Mexican congress, which will be voting on the measure next week. Clearly, Marine General James Cartwright got a little ahead of himself, which the military brass seems to be doing more as they become more involved in the country. I guess you can chalk it up to a lack of institutional knowledge about the norms in Mexico. 

Here's some analysis from Boz and Mexfiles, to which I have little to add. 

*Just kidding about the cause of my distraction.