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U.S., Mexican Presidents Meet

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:58:09 +0000

When U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto met in Mexico City earlier this month, what do you think they talked about? Immigration? Trade?

Right on both counts.

Read here for a brief look at the results of the presidential summit.

U.S. And Mexico: The Good Neighbor Policy

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:26:38 +0000

If you've been following this column, you know I've been doing a series on U.S.-Mexican foreign relations. Here is the third in the series, highlighting the years 1920-1945.

That quarter century saw the United States change from a policy of intervention to that of a "good neighbor" to Mexico and the rest of Latin America. Of course, the coming second world war had something to do with that.

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The U.S. And Mexico, 1850-1920

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:03:49 +0000

The unusual photo at right is of a couple of Curtiss R2 biplanes that the U.S. Army took into Mexico in 1916 as it tried to hunt down revolutionary Pancho Villa.

The expedition was part of extended U.S. irritation with Mexico during a time when European powers were trying to exploit enmity between the North American countries for their own political gain.

Read more in the second installment of a series on U.S.-Mexican foreign relations.

Photo courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Relations Between The U.S. And Mexico, 1821-1850

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:47:31 +0000

President Obama's trip to Mexico earlier this month highlights the often controversial relations between the United States and Mexico. Here is the first in a series of articles about American foreign policy with Mexico. Installment one features the Mexican War, in which President James K. Polk pressed Manifest Destiny and the U.S. won the American Southwest from Mexico.

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More U.S. Aid To Syria; Lavrov and Kerry Meet

Sat, 11 May 2013 03:02:53 +0000

The U.S. State Department this week announced more humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees and transitional aid to the Syrian Opposition Council, which the U.S. has long recognized as the legitimate government in Syria.

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The Reagan Doctrine: NSDD 75

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:45:28 +0000

In 1983, just over 30 years ago, President Ronald Reagan signed National Security Decision Directive 75 (NSDD 75), which codified his policy of bringing about the demise of the Soviet Union. It had three parts: military strength, economic disruption, and negotiation.

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The Reagan Doctrine: Rollback

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:32:57 +0000

Ronald Reagan (right) is credited as the man who brought down the Soviet Union. Whether he did that single-handedly or benefited from the long U.S. policy of containment will always be up for interpretation.

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Chemical Weapons Are Game Changer

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:12:51 +0000

Amid growing evidence that Syrian troops have use chemical weapons against rebels, U.S. President Barack Obama said such warfare will be a "game changer" as far as the United States is concerned.

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The Obama Doctrine

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:52:19 +0000

I asked this before and hedged my answer. Now I'm declaring it. There is an Obama Doctrine in foreign policy. Other historians will probably dispute my interpretation, and that's fine. But here's how I see it.

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Clausewitz On War -- And Policy

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:44:48 +0000

In the early 19th Century, Prussian military theorist Carl Von Clausewitz wrote one on classic works on military strategy and tactics. It's called On War, (Vom Kriege in German), and soldiers, military historians, and other students of military arts recognize it for its insights in doctrine, planning, and theory.

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