Central America and the Caribbean - A Framework for Analysis. A Case of Profound Transformation and Opportunity
Abstract
U.S. policy toward Central America and the Caribbean, like any regional foreign policy, is framed by America's world vision. This framework has changed radically with the end of the Cold War The Clinton Administration has articulated this global vision in a National Security Strategy of "Engagement and Enlargement." Broadly speaking, there are four components in that vision; promoting political stability and security; advancing economic security and prosperity; promoting democratic values, and cooperating with other nations to resolve our common agenda of trans-national problems. American goals and interests in Central America and the Caribbean reflect this strategic framework. The United States is closely bound to this region by ties of geography, history, culture and economics. What distinguishes American foreign policy interests in Central America and the Caribbean, from other parts of the globe, is the overarching importance of the "inter-mestic" component of our foreign policy agenda -- migration, narcotics, organized crime, and environmental protection are the most important examples. There is no region in the world where a failure of U.S. foreign policies would so damage our domestic agenda. Our central challenge in this region, therefore, is to ensure that our domestic policies, particularly in the areas of law enforcement, and our foreign policies are mutually reinforcing and sustainable. At the same time, the region also presents major opportunities for the United States. Mexico is our third largest trading partner and an important source of imported energy. American exports have penetrated the markets of Central America and the Caribbean to the extent that the centrally important economic issue is not market access but market size. Clearly economic growth in the region would benefit American exporters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA442781
Entities
People
- H. A. Graziano
- James Zumwalt
- William Spears
Organizations
- National War College