The Hard Country

In this special episode recorded at TPPF's 2025 Texas Policy Summit, Melissa Ford returns to the show to discuss the United States flying drones in Mexico and the Trump administration's latest foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations for Mexican cartels.

Creators and Guests

Host
Ariana Guajardo
Ariana Guajardo is a videographer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation with a passion for video editing and graphic animation. Ariana was originally born in Austin, but spent most of her life in the Rio Grande Valley.
Host
Joshua Treviño
Joshua S. Treviño is the Chief of Intelligence and Research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, in which role he explores pathways for future Foundation action and develops forecasts for Texas and the nation. Prior to his service as CIO, he was vice president of strategy at the Illinois Policy Institute in Chicago and a United States Army officer.
Host
Melissa Ford Maldonado
Melissa Ford Maldonado is the policy director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Secure and Sovereign Texas campaign, which strives to keep our nation safe and free. Melissa’s work and expertise is focused on policies that secure the border and restore the rule of law as we fix and improve legal immigration to the United States. Melissa writes about foreign policy, public safety, drug cartels, and organized crime. Melissa was born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia, but now calls Texas home.

What is The Hard Country?

Joshua Treviño and Melissa Ford of the Texas Public Policy Foundation discuss U.S.-Mexico relations, border security, and some Texas history.