Robert S. Leiken directs the Mexico Programs at the Center for the National Interest.  The Mexico Program has two purposes: to assess the character and the dynamics of Mexico’s “drug war” and to inform American leaders of this assessment. Dr. Robert S. Leiken, will interview U.S. and Mexican officials, policy analysts, researchers, journalists, military officers, and average Mexicans. This assessment will be conveyed to an ongoing discussion group on Mexico at the Center for the National Interest. The group is composed of current and former policy makers, influential journalists, area experts and generalists as well as congressional staffers. The meetings offer a unique opportunity for an open and systematic discussion of an issue attracting increasing attention from those concerned with U.S. foreign policy, border control and national security. The meetings will also provide a regular and central forum on the issue in a time of divided government.

Is Mexico’s “drug war” a criminal insurgency or a turf war? a low intensity conflict or a high intensity crime scene? Does the conflict present a national security threat or a law enforcement crisis? Should it be addressed primarily by the military or the police? Should the U.S. be sending soldiers or police advisors? Is the current death toll an inevitable by-product of strategic progress or a signal of failure?

The program is weighing a wide range of policy options including: relaxation of selected U.S. drug prohibitions; increased U.S. assistance on criminal investigations and convictions; institutional reform; financial monitoring and asset seizure; the application of counter insurgency doctrine; drug treatment and prevention; increased border controls; and a return to a corporatist (PRI) model.

Immigration and National Security Program

Robert S. Leiken formerly also directs the Center for the National Interest's Immigration and National Security Program, which looked at immigration from a national security perspective and focuses on Western countries where immigration can bring national security challenges. This program conducted research on the jihadist groups in Europe and the integration of Muslim immigrants into European societies. The project sought to understand the radicalization process, but also to find ways that the process can be diverted or reversed. The program has published a quantitative analysis of jihadists active in Europe and North America, as well as a recent study of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East and Europe. A book is forthcoming.