Description
Book SynopsisDuring the first two years of Ronald Reagan's second term the United States developed an offensive strategy for dealing with conflict in the developing world. Nicaragua was a primary target of this policy. Scholars refer to this as the Reagan offensive: the first time that the United States eschewed the norms of containment and sought to roll-back the gains of communism. However, the Reagan offensive was also significantly driven by a response to the emergent threat of international terrorism. Terrorism provided a vehicle that justified its use of aggressive proxy war and pursuit of regime change in Central America. U.S. policy with Nicaragua demonstrates the importance of terrorism to the development of a more aggressive United States in the post-Cold War world.This book examines the influence of the U.S.-Contra War in establishing a precedent for the use of overt pre-emptive force against sovereign nations in the name of counterterrorism. In the 21st century, the United States undert
Trade ReviewPhilip W. Travis's original and important book exploits a wealth of new sources. It links Reagan's war on terrorism with his interventions in Central America, with fascinating results. -- George C. Herring, University of Kentucky
Linking U.S. foreign policy in Latin America with the War on Terror in the Middle East, this provocative book shows how President Ronald Reagan initiated a hyper-interventionist tendency in American policy. Regime change, torture, and support for the worst brutality became standard parts of the Reagan Doctrine. Philip W. Travis deftly shows how the president used the label of ‘terrorism’ to justify otherwise unacceptable actions. This is an original and very timely book for readers who care about Latin America, the Middle East, and contemporary foreign policy. -- Jeremy Suri, University of Texas at Austin
In the spirit of Greg Grandin, Philip W. Travis explores the connection between President Reagan’s Central America policy and the deeper patterns that led to the War on Terror. In addition to extensive research in U.S. archives, Travis incorporates interviews with key figures, including Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez. The result is a thoughtful and provocative work that will make many readers think differently about questions of terrorism and regime change. Many have written on Reagan’s war in Nicaragua, but few have connected it to the rhetoric that has come to define the War on Terror. This is a bold work by a promising young scholar. -- Jason Colby, University of Victoria
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Imperialism, the Cold War, and the Roots of Revolution Chapter 2: Revolution in Nicaragua Chapter 3: Counterinsurgency-Counterterrorism Chapter 4: Harbor Mines Chapter 5: The Terrorist and the Freedom Fighter Chapter 6: Outlaw States Chapter 7: A War on Terrorism Chapter 8: War for Peace
