The Strategic Value of the Panama Canal: Value Versus Cost

Abstract

Using the ideas of Alfred Thayer Mahan to define the national interest, this thesis analyzes the strategic value of the Panama Canal to the United States. The analysis is based on a review of the historic value and cost of the Isthmus to the power which has controlled it. This review demonstrates that the canal is a valuable component of U.S. Sea Power. The final chapter of this study discusses the future of the canal. Strategic planners should assume that the canal will be available to the United States in wartime until the year 2000. After the year 2000, unless the United States is able to extend its base rights in Panama, the canal will probably not be available during wartime, thus weakening U.S. power projection capability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA200420

Entities

People

  • Francis F. Randolph

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central America
  • Civil War
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • North America
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Terrain
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Urban Planning and Geography.