An aspect to any escalation of any military presence (ie: Niger)(click here), is the actual opportunity for enemies to gather and turn what might be a national security border operation into a war.
The drug cartels will probably pay militias to form and attack the USA. There is also the issue of "kill an American soldier," that is all to real in any place where the opportunity exists. We experienced that in Iraq. Jihadist came from all over to kill American soldiers.
All potential escalations of a border operation needs to be considered and plans prepared in case there is escalation.
