Joshua Kurlantzick and Shelby Leighton ask, "Why bother with a coup when there are better ways to take control?"

Adam Thomson follows Mexico's downward spiral, from the factors that belied its promising outlook a decade ago to the potential of a recovery through its upcoming elections.

Mexico is currently suffering from the same sort of drug-related violence that plagued Colombia during the 1980s. Mexico and the United States can learn a great deal from Colombia's example, including that they must build law enforcement capacity and not rely solely on military force.

Shannon K. O'Neil testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs and  Committee on Homeland Security on the way forward for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón's state visit to Washington could highlight immigration concerns at a time of growing cross-border partnership on Mexico's drug war, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil.

Shannon O'Neil discusses how Mexico and the United States are heading toward a new collaboration in tackling drug violence.

As Mexico continues to struggle with the effects of illegal activity within and along its border region, evidenced by dramatic growth in drug-related violence, join U.S. Representative Kay Granger for a congressional perspective on the status of U.S. security assistance to Mexico and policy options moving forward.

Listen to Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) give a congressional perspective on the status of U.S. security assistance to Mexico as it struggles with the effects of illegal activity within and along its border region.

A new shift in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation that focuses on border surveillance and the underpinnings of drug violence is a good long-term approach, but will require patience on both sides, says CFR Latin America expert Shannon O'Neil.

Listen to CFR's Shannon K. O'Neil discuss the challenges of ongoing drug violence in Mexico as part of CFR's State and Local Officials Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's State and Local Officials Initiative.

In Ciudad Juarez, where three people with connections to the U.S. consulate were killed over the weekend, it's local gangs rather than drug cartels that are spreading violence, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil. To fight them, part of what's needed is better law and police enforcement and better education.

In Mexico's dysfunctional legal system, an arrest most often leads to a conviction. Exposing both that corruption and a glimpse of hope, David  Luhnow follows the story of one street vendor--wrongly convicted of murder--who won his freedom thanks to an unconventional approach by two determined lawyers.

Edward Alden, CFR senior fellow and director of U.S. Immigration Policy, a CFR-Sponsored Independent Task Force Report, discusses immigration policy online with Politico readers.

Shannon K. O'Neil provides an annotated Foreign Affairs syllabus on Mexican politics.