The Shield of the Americas

Key points

• 0:00

  The Shield of the Americas is a new grouping initiated by Donald Trump between the United States and Latin American countries.

• 1:05

  The alliance focuses on security cooperation rather than trade deals or policy secretariats.

• 1:05

  The United States is contracting its footprint and interests in the Eastern Hemisphere independent of Trump.

• 2:40

  Reduced Eastern involvement means US military forces will be used more aggressively in the Western Hemisphere.

• 2:40

  The alliance involves at least 14 governments agreeing to deploy American forces throughout the hemisphere.

• 3:45

  The roster of participating countries will change frequently due to ongoing elections in the region.

• 3:45

  Permanent Army or Marine bases are too expensive; only special forces can deploy quickly.

• 5:31

  Special forces teams have doubled in number but are trained for desert warfare, not Latin American terrain.

• 8:16

  Mexico is over twice the size and population of Afghanistan, making troop deployment insufficient.

• 5:31

  Special forces cannot change the math of drug production as long as there is insatiable US demand.

• 8:16

  Aggressive tactics risk breaking political relationships with Mexico, the largest trading partner.

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