A 21st Century Security Architecture For The Americas

This monograph is a constructive response to the question of "How can the United States best develop security cooperation within the Americas?" The author develops the necessary background to make the persuasive argument that it is time for the United States to employ strategic restraint and reassurance of allies to develop a new security architecture that is effective and efficient, not to mention reflective of our values and interests. The threats and challenges articulated are no longer state versus state on a path to eventual war, but more internal, where weak institutions struggle to deal with terrorism, natural disasters, governmental corruption, insurgency, crime, and narcotrafficking. Further complicating matters is that many of these problems transcend borders. The author argues that the United States is the only country that can provide the new direction for security cooperation, but must rely upon Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to develop the consensus for change and materially contribute to the creation of standing multinational units. Issues such as state sovereignty and the role of the Organization- of American States must figure significantly in the overarching security structure, and that these new brigade-sized units must be able to rapidly deploy to handle missions immediately, not after the fact in an ad hoc and disorganized manner.

This monograph by Colonel Joseph R. Núñez is a constructive response to the question of "How can the United States best develop security cooperation within the Americas?" In it, he develops the necessary background to make the persuasive argument that it is time for the United States to employ strategic restraint and reassurance of allies to develop a new security architecture that is effective and efficient, not to mention reflecting of our values and interests. The current security architecture of the Western Hemisphere needs major change. To better address current and future threats, the United States must be able to demonstrate the type of leadership that reflects the "soft power" and liberal peace realities of our hemispheric neighborhood. Of course, this will require the recognition and assistance of other leading states that provide real legitimacy and better representation for this new security structure.

This study focuses on U.S. decisionmaking challenges to achieve a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The author ties the revolutionary economic changes in South America, and more generally the Western Hemisphere, to the creation of new strategic possibilities in the region.

This book describes the major security challenges that face the Americas in the twenty-first century including terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, migration, and continually evolving geopolitical realities. It appeals to those interested in international relations, security studies, comparative politics, and Latin American studies.

Essays on Canada's place in the world order.