Russia, China courting Latin America in U.S. absence
Is the Monroe Doctrine being chipped away by the Bush Doctrine?
No. That would be an exaggeration. However: The Washington Times has an interesting piece about Russia assisting Bolivia in light of reduced U.S. aid.
The Bolivia situation is unique, but this case does in some ways represent a trend of decreased U.S. involvement in Latin America, while other countries seek to fill the void. The U.S., of course, is focusing its attention on Southwest Asia.
One other indicator I have mentioned previously is the annual U.S. Marine Corps and Navy deployment, called Unitas. For more than 40 years, this unit visited Latin America, training with local militaries, putting on displays for the public (including tours of ships), and doing community service work such as painting schools. It was part show of force, part alliance-reinforcing, part dog-and-pony-show, and part booze cruise. I participated in 1999.
Unitas sailed for the final time in 2004.
No. That would be an exaggeration. However: The Washington Times has an interesting piece about Russia assisting Bolivia in light of reduced U.S. aid.
The Bolivia situation is unique, but this case does in some ways represent a trend of decreased U.S. involvement in Latin America, while other countries seek to fill the void. The U.S., of course, is focusing its attention on Southwest Asia.
One other indicator I have mentioned previously is the annual U.S. Marine Corps and Navy deployment, called Unitas. For more than 40 years, this unit visited Latin America, training with local militaries, putting on displays for the public (including tours of ships), and doing community service work such as painting schools. It was part show of force, part alliance-reinforcing, part dog-and-pony-show, and part booze cruise. I participated in 1999.
Unitas sailed for the final time in 2004.
Labels: latin america, marfor unitas, monroe doctrine, unitas, usmc
posted by bp at
10:12 AM
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