Talons of the Eagle: Latin America, the United States, and the World Book

"Talons of the Eagle offers a vivid portrayal of U.S.-Latin American relations from the early 19th century through the Cold War to the present day. It casts new light on such contemporary issues as economic integration, environmental protection, drug trafficking, and undocumented migration. Rather than concentrating solely on U.S. policy, as many texts do, this book addresses the structural relationships between the two regions by focusing on international systems, the distribution of power, and the perception and pursuit of national interests. Smith uncovers recurrent regularities in the interaction between the United States and Latin America and provides a compelling analysis of continuity and change in their relations. He also offers provocative insights into the future. Revised and expanded throughout, this second edition features an entirely new introduction, an updated bibliography, and a vast amount of new material on trends and events during the 1990s. Substantial revisions to the last four chapters and the conclusion explore how nations of Latin America are attempting to maximize strategic options as they struggle to identify productive niches in the emerging world economy and to define their relationships with the United States. Providing a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of more than 200 years of turbulent history, Talons of the Eagle will be of interest to the general reader and continues to be an essential text for courses in Latin American history and politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. diplomatic history, and U.S. foreign policy.Read More