Being a good neighbor

Latin America is our neighborhood, and Time Magazine has documented serious slippage in America's military security and political stability in the region. Oil is the core problem with Hugo Chavez contracting to buy Russian arms and using his oil wealth to gain influence in Central America. India and China are interested in drilling near Cuba, and Iran is building alliances in the area. Lastly Russia, itself pumped up by oil prices, has hinted about flying bombers out of Cuba.

Here is Barack Obama's plan for full engagement in Latin America. And of course, getting off oil will be central to national policy making, come January 20.