When I first read your article I thought that the ignorant generals you were talking about were on our side, but when I got into the point about Mexico being declared a de facto territory of the U.S. I got a little confused. Who are the ignorant generals that you are talking about?
If they are on our side then I certainly agree.
If they are on the other side it brings up a point of view that I hadn't thought of before and could either be brilliant rope-a-dope or a huge miscalculation.
'All' (It's obviously more involved) it would take to bring another territory into subjugation is to declare all payments cease until taxes are paid and regulations are met. Much like each individual state is done now.
Do I think the corrupt people in charge care to emulate those they send their unwanted too? Not as long as they see their crime as a paying entity.