PUBLICATIONS BY Ray Walser
Commentary
Research
2008 Commentary
September 04, 2008
The Eighth Defense Ministerial of the Americas End of the Line?
By Ray Walser and Roman Ortiz
From September 2 to 6, 2008, the Canadian government will host the 8th Defense Ministerial of the Americas (DMA) at scenic Banff in the Canadian Rockies. The purpose of the ministerial broadly defined is to promote regional defense and security cooperation and strengthen ties between 34 participating nations of the Americas.
June 10, 2008
The UN Sinks to New Depths
By Nile Gardiner and Ray Walser
Last week’s unopposed election of Nicaraguan Reverend Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann as the next President of the 192-member United Nations General Assembly will further undermine the standing of the UN in the eyes of the American public. D’Escoto served as foreign minister of Nicaragua during the Sandinista dictatorship of Daniel Ortega in the 1980s and is known for his extreme, stridently anti-American views.
April 22, 2008
Protectionist Congress Losing Latin America
By James Roberts and Ray Walser
In American election years, a theme sure to grab the nation's attention is who "lost" a certain country. In 1952, it was "Who lost China?" In 1980, it was "Who lost Iran?" In 2008, voters may rightfully begin to ask who lost an entire region. In this case, it will be "Who lost Latin America?"
February 12, 2008
A Wish List for 2008
By James Roberts and Ray Walser
In 2007, parts of Latin America continued to backslide toward leftist, authoritarian political rule. However, mixed into the record were many positive developments for democracy and free markets. The future of Latin America will have a great impact on the United States' economy, energy supply, and border security. Below is a list of 10 storylines that The Heritage Foundation would like to see take place in 2008—and the U.S. measures that can help them become a reality.
2007 Commentary
December 13, 2007
Reduce Chavez Oil, Help Latin Neighbors
By James Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
The US should extend the ATPDEA with Bolivia and Ecuador and negotiate FTAs with Paraguay and Uruguay.
2008 Research
September 03, 2008
The Eighth Defense Ministerial of the Americas: End of the Line?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2044)
The Canadian government will host the 8th Defense Ministerial of the Americas (DMA) September 2–6 at Banff in the scenic Canadian Rockies. The purpose of the meeting is the promotion of regional defense and security cooperation in the Americas and the strengthening of ties among 34 invited nations. It is a ministerial event in search of a diplomatic and strategic meaning—and at present lacking both.
August 18, 2008
Hugo Chávez's Andean Offensive
By Ray Walser Ph.D. and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2027)
Exploiting the U.S. leadership and media's preoccupation with the Caucasus conflict, as well as the Beijing Olympics, elections, and high gas prices, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela went on the offensive with a power grab of his own. In response, the U.S. must pursue a stronger, bipartisan effort to forge a more active, pro-democracy consensus in the Western Hemisphere. Democracy’s friends in Latin America deserve greater support than they are presently receiving.
July 23, 2008
Executive Summary: Mexico, Drug Cartels, and the Merida Initiative: A Fight We Cannot Afford to Lose
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2163)
As a drug-consuming nation and major source of arms, cash, and precursor chemicals, the U.S. shares responsibility with Mexico for combating the drug trade. The Merida Initiative will enable both nations to fight the drug trade without infringing on each other's sovereignty and will help to make the border more secure by targeting traffickers who exploit vulnerabilities on the U.S.-Mexican border.
July 23, 2008
Mexico, Drug Cartels, and the Merida Initiative: A Fight We Cannot Afford to Lose
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2163)
As a drug-consuming nation and major source of arms, cash, and precursor chemicals, the U.S. shares responsibility with Mexico for combating the drug trade. The Merida Initiative will enable both nations to fight the drug trade without infringing on each other's sovereignty and will help to make the border more secure by targeting traffickers who exploit vulnerabilities on the U.S.-Mexican border.
July 21, 2008
The Russia-Venezuela Axis: Using Energy for Geopolitical Advantage
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. and Ray Walser, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2000)
A Russian-Venezuelan axis is a 21st-century throwback to the Cold War Soviet-Cuban alliance. Such a partnership bodes ill for energy security, for freedom in both nations, and for the Western Hemisphere.
July 11, 2008
Colombia v. Venezuela: An Endgame for the FARC?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1986)
The recent rescue of 15 Colombian hostages struck a major blow to the FARC. While the fat lady has not yet begun to sing, she may be warming up in a dressing room somewhere in Caracas.
July 03, 2008
Hostage Rescue Major Blow to the FARC: U.S. Support for Colombia Increasingly Effective
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1981)
The safe rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans is a stunning success that symbolizes the huge gains made under the U.S.-funded Plan Colombia program and is a major black eye for the FARC.
June 30, 2008
Terrorism, Insurgency, and Drugs Still Threaten America's Southern Flank
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2152)
The United States faces a continued security challenge in the Western Hemisphere from terrorism, political violence, and organized crime. Establishing effective security in the Hemisphere and keeping allies committed to the fight against terrorism and crime will require the U.S. to exercise continued vigilance, improve interagency cooperation, and commit a steady stream of resources.
June 30, 2008
Executive Summary: Terrorism, Insurgency, and Drugs Still Threaten America's Southern Flank
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2152)
The United States faces a continued security challenge in the Western Hemisphere from terrorism, political violence, and organized crime. Establishing effective security in the Hemisphere and keeping allies committed to the fight against terrorism and crime will require the U.S. to exercise continued vigilance, improve interagency cooperation, and commit a steady stream of resources.
June 24, 2008
Fidel's Propaganda Victory? European Union Removes Cuba Sanctions
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1967)
The EU's decision to lift sanctions on Cuba represents a retreat from the hard-line stance the world should be taking on the Castro regime.
June 16, 2008
Hugo Chávez, Colombia, and the FARC: A Change of Heart?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1956)
For months, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were the darlings of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. He urged the public to consider the FARC noble freedom-fighters rather than a pack of narco-terrorists. He praised them as a Bolivarian Army on a sacred mission to drive the United States out of Columbia. Chávez even entered into secret talks with the FARC, promising the organization arms and money.
May 20, 2008
Cuba Solidarity Day 2008: Remembering Our Totalitarian Neighbor
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1928)
May 21 is Cuba Solidarity Day. The day seeks to remind Americans that 90 miles away from the United States is an island nation controlled by a government that remains by all objective definitions a Communist, totalitarian regime.
May 20, 2008
Bolivia: Santa Cruz Voters Stand Firm-Against Morales and for Democracy
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1929)
President Evo Morales is intent upon gathering unchallenged and unending power to impose “21st Century Bolivarian Socialism” in Bolivia. Although pro-democracy, free-market forces appear to have scored a significant victory in a May 4 referendum about control of the country’s mineral-rich and economically more successful eastern lowlands, Morales and his followers will surely not give up their quest to subjugate the industrious and independent-minded Department of Santa Cruz.
May 06, 2008
Meeting Energy Challenges in the Western Hemisphere
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1079)
Meeting the nation’s petroleum needs from affordable and secure sources is vital for national security. The best guarantee for future energy security remains a stable, democratic Western Hemisphere with relationships based on genuine respect for democracy, constitutional government with real checks and balances, and the rule of law.
May 02, 2008
The Crisis in the Andes: Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1080)
On March 1, 2008, the Colombian military eliminated a key leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in a raid on a camp in neighboring Ecuador. The incident occurred at a time when Congress moved to delay indefinitely a vote on a free trade agreement with Columbia, a U.S. ally.
April 15, 2008
Losing Latin America? A Protectionist Congress Is Destroying U.S. Credibility
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1890)
In American election years, a theme sure to grab the nation’s attention is who "lost" a certain country. In 1952, it was "Who lost China?" In 1980, it was "Who lost Iran?" In 2008, voters may rightfully begin to ask who lost an entire region. In this case, it will be "Who lost Latin America?"
March 28, 2008
The FARC Files, Colombia, and International Terrorism
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1872)
On March 26, 2008, Colombian officials reported recovering 66 pounds of depleted uranium that was originally acquired by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. (FARC). While it was not of weapons grade, the latest discovery adds to a growing body of disturbing evidence regarding the network of ties and linkages the FARC has developed throughout the Andes and elsewhere. Experts dismiss the possibility of FARC using the depleted uranium to make a “dirty bomb,” but they have yet to develop a credible explanation regarding its belligerent intentions.
March 04, 2008
Hugo Chávez, the FARC, and Threats of War
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1834)
The Organization of American States and regional leaders must play a stronger role in crisis management and hemispheric security.
February 19, 2008
Cuba's Phony Transition: Fidel Resigns, Raul Reigns
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1820)
The Unites States should keep existing policies in place until Cuba makes real progress on political reforms and human rights issues.
February 12, 2008
A Neighbor Calls: Mexican President Calderón Visits the U.S.
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1811)
The visit can set a tone for good relations that lasts well into the next U.S. Administration.
January 28, 2008
Hugo Chávez Eyes Colombia
By Ray Walser
(WebMemo #1784)
Congress must strengthen U.S. ties with Colombia to counter the Venezuelan President's push for an integrated, socialist South America.
January 11, 2008
Álvaro Colom Takes Charge in Guatemala: New Optimism for a Troubled Neighbor
By Ray Walser
(WebMemo #1772)
Washington should work to pull Guatemala's new president into the free-market, democratic fold.
January 07, 2008
Latin America: A Wish List for 2008
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1767)
The following 10 storylines would benefit the United States’ economy, energy supply, and border security.
2007 Research
December 04, 2007
Venezuela: Democracy Dodges a Bullet
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1719)
Though he has been temporarily stymied from achieving his goal of total power in Venezuela, Chávez certainly will not give up his dream.
November 16, 2007
The U.S. and Mexico: Taking the "Mérida Initiative" Against Narco-Terror
By Ray Walser, Ph.D., and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1705)
The United States and Mexico have an opportunity to push forward with their unprecedented and outstanding level of cooperation in the battle against drug traffickers along the U.S.–Mexican border.
