essay
My interest in Latin America is how the countries are influenced by great power competition countries, like China, Russia, Iran. These non-state actors have been working continuously and restlessly to exploit the occident to spread their political (socialist) views, radical religious beliefs, and obtain a strategic military advantage on the Western Hemisphere. Corruption among the countries’ political parties has made them easier for our adversaries.
For the research topic, I will investigate how Chinese influence in Latin America changes the region’s perspective towards the USA as the partner of choice. Understanding Latin America Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic (DIME) helps us identify the gaps that our adversaries will exploit among our partners or region of interest. The Chinese influence in the region has spread thru the entire DIME of most countries in Latin America. From weapons and military advisors to technology and infrastructure. Their investments and financial help could potentially affect our relations with countries in the region by allowing China to be instituted regionally as a military partner, affecting our national security. Our past and current investments in the area had made us their partner of choice. But as we reduce the aid we provide to the region, it has open the door to other nations to move in and capitalize on the absence of our support. Our twenty years of war in the Middle East has left a gap in regions closer to our border. As we drawdown in the Middle East, we have to look at those places we neglected and reinvest to maintain our security. We have to take a close look at our future investment in foreign aid and determine if this action will negatively impact our international relations, in theory affecting national security. For this research, I will examine the USA’s past, present, and future economic and military contributions to the region. The investment China has done, its current projects, and plans in the area. Another factor to be looked at and research is the administrative changes in the region, as countries have political party changeovers.
Research question
How is China influencing Latin America in relation to its partnership with the USA?
Thesis statement
China’s strategic commitment to become a political and economic partner to Latin American countries represents a threat to the US partnership in the region and our national security interest.