Between Scylla and Charybdis: Constructing the Nicaraguan Army

Abstract

Established in 1979, the Nicaraguan Army is the youngest Army in the Americas. Its creation is a result of a 150- year struggle between internal Nicaraguan partisan politics (Scylla) and the influence of United States (U.S.) foreign policy and commercial interests (Charybdis). Like Homer's Odysseus, the Nicaraguan Army constantly struggles to maintain its course as an apolitical, professional military force as it steers clear of the hazards of partisan politics and imperious U.S. intrusion. For the first time in their history the Nicaraguan people have a national army that abides by the constitution and which furthers the democratic development of the republic. However, President Ortega's recent attempts to establish authoritarian rule in Nicaragua threaten this new instrument of national power. This SRP describes the political birth of this non-partisan Army and its continuing battle to professionalize, modernize and maintain its independence in the face of fierce domestic political struggles and the wrenching effects of U.S. foreign policy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 18, 2009
Accession Number
ADA500532

Entities

People

  • Robert J. M. Gaddis

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central America
  • Department Of State
  • Foreign Relations
  • Governments
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Military Training
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Students
  • United States
  • United States Southern Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies