The United States would like to draw a neat line between the drug and guerrilla wars, but the men on the ground know the FARC will come after them since they are challenging their control of the region and a drug business that finances their war. Indeed, the FARC issued a communiqui last week denouncing the U.S.-Colombian drug war as a ruse to make war on them. The reality is that Colombia's problems can't be parsed. We finally recognize that there's no quick fix. Success in the drug war hinges on Colombia's ability to gain control over its territory.
Insurgencies tend to be resolved at the bargaining table.
My own feeling is that they need the leverage of improved performance on the battlefield. A senior U.S. official doesn't see a problem since U.S. troops won't be involved. If only one could predict where mission creep stops.