¶ … globalized context, which of the two issues -- sovereign debt and energy insecurity -- is the greater challenge to U.S. national interests and why? Globalization is the integration of trade, economic, financial and communication resources. Its primary focus is on the free transfer of goods and services across national borders. However, there are some restrictions which are applied under this philosophy. Most notably: the movement of people across national borders with little to no interference. This is designed to protect the smaller economies and encourage development inside these regions. (Dodds, 2012)

The biggest challenge for U.S. national security interests is energy insecurity. This is because all nations require resources (such as oil and natural gas) to maintain consistent levels of economic growth. The tighter supplies will lead to increased chances of conflicts taking place based upon controlling them. (Dodds, 2012)

A good example of this can be seen with the territorial dispute China is having with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands. This is from the discovery of large oil and natural gas reserves throughout the South China Sea. In order to have access to these resources, China has been questioning Japan's claim to these islands and engaging in aggressive actions to show their control over them. This is causing tensions to rise between the two countries. (Dodds, 2012) ("China Japan Island Dispute," 2013)

The way that this is a challenge to U.S. national security interests, is to escalate anxieties in the region and create even greater levels of instability. In the future, any kind of miscalculation could lead directly to hostilities erupting. When this happens, it means that the U.S. will be drawn into the conflict from the mutual defense treaty in place with Japan. This example is illustrating how energy insecurity in China and the desire to have control of more reserves is leading to greater challenges. For the U.S., these kinds of events will make entire regions unstable from different competing interests, who want to control and utilize these resources inside their own economies. (Dodds, 2012) ("China Japan Island Dispute," 2013)

Historically, energy insecurity has been directly linked with instability in different areas. For instance, one of the main reasons why Hitler invaded the Soviet Union was to control the vast natural resources. Most notably: coal, oil and iron ore. These materials were going to be used to help fuel the Nazi war machine. (Burgan, 2007)

Moreover, the primary reason why Japan attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor was from the U.S. cutting off oil supplies in their war effort. The generals believed that if they could have a single and decisive blow against the Pacific Fleet. America would be forced to negotiate a peaceful solution and continue supplying them with the energy they needed. The strategy was almost a success, had it not been for a last minute decision to send the nation's three aircraft carriers off for maintenance on the day of the attack. (Burgan, 2007)

These events are showing how energy insecurity, is a primary factor that will motive more aggressive actions from different countries. This has often resulted in increased hostilities and instability. As a result, it is one the greatest challenges impacting the balance of power and determining the scope / severity of conflicts around the globe. (Burgan, 2007)

What is climate change? Rising sea levels and severe droughts are two effects of global climate change. Explain how each one has security implications for developing nations.

Climate change is when the Earth's weather patterns are shifting. This is from an increase in atmospheric temperatures which are creating warmer weather and transforming precipitation cycles. The negative implications of these events are that the polar ice caps and glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate. This is creating adjustments in the ocean temperature which is leading to higher sea levels. When this happens, the weather will be more extreme and unpredictable in different regions of the world. (Douglas, 2000)

Rising sea levels will have an effect on ocean currents and weather patterns around the globe. This will have negative implications on different regions by causing some areas to have more precipitation than usual. While others, will experience less and have longer periods of droughts. At the same time, numerous population centers are built alongside the coast lines. These challenges are problematic, because they will have severe national security implications in the future. This is occurring with numerous regions being flooded from an increase in sea levels. These changes will force many people to move further inland. For developing countries, this is creating security dilemmas by placing greater...

This will create more internal conflict between traditional groups, who have lived in these areas and new arrivals. (Douglas, 2000)
In the case of severe droughts, a similar effect will occur. This will happen with many regions being unable to produce any kind of agricultural products and increased competition for fresh water. It is at this point when large numbers of people will migrate to other areas with higher levels of precipitation. This will create increased amounts of competition for land and various natural resources Moreover, the standard of living in those areas impacted by drought will cause the local economy to suffer severe declines. The security implications for developing countries are increased tensions and conflict between different regions. This will lead to the possibility of a civil war occurring based upon these divisions and who controls various natural resources. (Burr, 1994)

A good example of this occurred in the Sudan during the mid 1980s. In this case, severe drought was impacting the nation and there were not enough food supplies to feed the entire country. This resorted in many groups creating militias to protect their own interests. It is at this point, when specific regions began fighting against government forces (based upon the lack of resources they were receiving). This created a major civil war between the Northern and Southern parts. These events are a clear illustration of what can happen in developing nations when there is a severe drought. (Burr, 1994)

As a result, both rising seas levels and drought will create greater amounts of conflict in these countries. This is because there is more competition for land and natural resources. When this happens, economic development will cease to exist and open warfare will take place between different groups. In many cases, this can lead to long periods of conflict between various groups about who controls what resources.

What are the three most important U.S. national security interests in Mexico? Articulate the primary challenge to each interest in Mexico. Explain and justify which two challenges pose the greatest obstacles to achieving U.S. national security interests.

The three most important U.S. national security interests are illegal immigration, drug trafficking and corruption. These different areas are impacting America negatively by creating instability on its borders. In the future, this will make it difficult to protect the nation and prevent these issues from becoming major problems. Illegal immigration, is illustrating how unsecure large areas of the U.S. border are. For Mexico, this creates greater levels of instability by providing criminal organizations with the tools they need to engage in smuggling and sex trafficking. This undermines their economy and makes it difficult for the government to exert control inside various regions or enforce the law. (Dominguez, 2009)

Drug trafficking is problematic, in that it creates instability inside many regions of Mexico. This is because large organizations are created which are focused on these activities (based upon the profit margins involved). Over the course of time, these groups will become involved in violent crimes inside different areas. For Mexico, these cartels will use the proceeds to purchase large amounts of guns. These weapons are utilized by drug gangs to fight against the military, police and rivals inside these areas. These kinds of affiliations are creating open warfare along the border. This is because the different groups are competing with each other in determining who will control the drug trade and reap the profits from it. (Dominguez, 2009)

Corruption is problematic in Mexico, as the large amounts of money are used to buy power and influence among government officials. This creates more instability with them willing to look the other way and not go after organized criminal gangs. When this happens, these groups have safe havens to operate and conduct their operations. (Dominguez, 2009)

Two of the greatest challenges impacting U.S. national security interests are drug smuggling and corruption. This is because these factors are closely tied with each other. These challenges have made it difficult for American officials to work with their counterparts in tackling the problem. To make matters worse, these issues are creating de facto narco-states which are controlled by drug gangs inside different regions. The increased amounts of corruption are providing them with information about the activities of law enforcement and military officials. Inside different regions along the border, this is creating an atmosphere of lawlessness with these groups vying for control. (Dominguez, 2009)

This makes it difficult for the U.S. To have a strong partner they can work…