Whack-a-mole: Mexico's Drug Cartels: Musical Chairs or Atomization?

*** An interesting analysis of possible the results of President Calderon's drug war taking out some major capos in the last year. The moles are either getting younger - or there are more of them. 

WPR Article | Mexico's Drug Cartels: Musical Chairs or Atomization?: "The past 12 months in Mexico have been marked by a more significant upsurge of previously unknown groups than at any point in recent history. Among the new gangs: the Resistance, the New Generation Jalisco Cartel, the Independent Cartel of Acapulco and the Pacific South Cartel.

And while these bands were virtually unknown on a national scale a year ago, they are already capable of serious mayhem.

There are two possible explanations for the rise of the new blood: In the first, they represent the replacement of fallen heavyweights, essentially the younger generation rising up to replace the older. ...

Alternatively, the increased turmoil may indicate the opening of a very different stage for Mexico's drug trade. .... the emergence of newer, smaller gangs, especially if it were to continue in months and years to come, offers evidence of the possible atomization of the Mexican drug trade. That would not be a new round of musical chairs, but rather a brand new game." World Politics Review