The drug war in Mexico is entering its fourth year as of 2011. The level of violence has spread throughout Mexico raising doubts as to Mexico's ability to win and assert its State authority. The violence in the Northern part of Mexico causes significant challenges for both Mexico and the United States. Not the least being the potential for violence spreading north of the Mexican border. Thus the central research question is what are the diplomatic and security effects of the drug war in Mexico on United States and Mexico relations? Is the United States doing enough to help Mexico in a war that has diplomatic, economic, and security implications for two nations that share more than a common border? The past interaction between Mexico and the United States may affect current diplomatic and security efforts to help Mexico succeed in the drug war. This paper applies a study of past diplomatic and security interactions to identify issues that hinder finding an appropriate solution that addresses the concerns of both nations in the drug war. Solutions for this ill structured problem need to address Mexico's sovereignty and the United States' desire to prevent spillover violence into the Southwest Border States. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.