U.S. Defense Cooperation with Canada and Mexico Matters Far More Than You Think

Posted: November 21st, 2018

By Charles H. JACOBY, Jr.

General Charles “Chuck” H. Jacoby, Jr. is a Partner in Capitol Peak Asset Management, the Distinguished Chair of the Modern War Institute, West Point, NY, a Member of the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Defense and a Senior Advisor for Stellar Solutions. General Jacoby brings over 36 years of experience leading military, government and international organizations. Prior to retiring, he served as the first Army officer to command North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Northern Command, where he led the 1,800-person bi-¬national and joint headquarters, integrating 35 federal, state, and non-governmental organizations for the defense and security of North America

Last month, Secretary Mattis and his counterparts from across the Americas met in Mexico City for The Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas to discuss shared regional defense challenges. The event was especially important for North American defense cooperation between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Secretary Mattis noted at the Conference that “Mexico continues to show important strategic leadership building trusted relationships between us based on respect, cooperation, and mutual understanding.”

From countering ballistic missile threats from North Korea from to partnering with Mexico to ensure persons of special interest and illicit goods do not make their way into the homeland to increasing continental critical infrastructure resiliency from cyber threats, the three North American nations cooperate deeply on a range of high priority challenges.

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