Present and future US policy towards Central America
US policy towards Central America, like most regions of the world, is somewhat complicated. In terms of issues, the US is concerned about trade and free markets, democracy, corruption, and the rule of law, human rights, migration, and security. We have to interact leaders with whom we were at war in the 1980s and with people who carried out grave human rights violations in our name.
For Bruce Jentleson, it comes down to the four P's - power, principles, peace, and prosperity. It is rare that all four P's align perfectly, but the US is always concerned with building upon one or more of these four P's - increasing its power; defending and spreading principles; promoting peace; or ensuring greater prosperity for American, corporations, people, and allies.
US policy is also influenced by its history in the region and clear differences in how Democrats and Republicans view that history, our partners, our shared responsibility for current conditions, and how much we should contribute towards resolving our shared challenges. Using "shared challenges" and "shared responsibilities" is not something we hear come out of Republican's mouths these days. Remember that change at the beginning of the Obama administration.
It's difficult to guess what Trump's policy towards Central America will e. There's "build that wall" but that's not much of a policy. Central America was not discussed during any of the debates. Trump has demonstrated no interest or knowledge of the region, nor does he have any business interests in the region.
The Obama administration has worked to promote the rule of law, the demilitarization of security, and anti-corruption and economic development initiatives in the region. It has done so imperfectly, somewhat inconsistently, and, all too frequently, with little to show for its efforts. The next four years will tell us a great deal about whether any of these initiatives have bipartisan and institutional support.
As someone concerned about democracy, human rights, the environment, the people of Central America, and sustainable economic development, I am worried about what the next four years will bring, not because the Obama administration has done a great job on these issues, but because there's no evidence that the incoming administration seems to care about them.
For Bruce Jentleson, it comes down to the four P's - power, principles, peace, and prosperity. It is rare that all four P's align perfectly, but the US is always concerned with building upon one or more of these four P's - increasing its power; defending and spreading principles; promoting peace; or ensuring greater prosperity for American, corporations, people, and allies.
US policy is also influenced by its history in the region and clear differences in how Democrats and Republicans view that history, our partners, our shared responsibility for current conditions, and how much we should contribute towards resolving our shared challenges. Using "shared challenges" and "shared responsibilities" is not something we hear come out of Republican's mouths these days. Remember that change at the beginning of the Obama administration.
It's difficult to guess what Trump's policy towards Central America will e. There's "build that wall" but that's not much of a policy. Central America was not discussed during any of the debates. Trump has demonstrated no interest or knowledge of the region, nor does he have any business interests in the region.
The Obama administration has worked to promote the rule of law, the demilitarization of security, and anti-corruption and economic development initiatives in the region. It has done so imperfectly, somewhat inconsistently, and, all too frequently, with little to show for its efforts. The next four years will tell us a great deal about whether any of these initiatives have bipartisan and institutional support.
As someone concerned about democracy, human rights, the environment, the people of Central America, and sustainable economic development, I am worried about what the next four years will bring, not because the Obama administration has done a great job on these issues, but because there's no evidence that the incoming administration seems to care about them.
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