Panama Canal

<p>The United States has held strong national interest in Panama since the 1840s. This interest was demonstrated by the building of the Panama Canal its ensuing operation and numerous military interventions into Panama concluding with Operation Just Cause in 1989. Control of the canal formally passed to Panama and the American military presence ended in 1999. By the 1977 Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty the United States retained the right to intervene unilaterally if the canal or its neutral operation is threatened. Will the United States consider the Panama Canal a vital interest in the twenty-first century? This monograph summarizes the United States historical involvement with the canal. Current economic military and intangible American interests in the canal are analyzed. The most likely threats to the canal or American access to it are evaluated. These findings are considered against the backdrop of theories put forward by Alfred Thayer Mahan Julian S. Corbett and Thucydides. The monograph finds American economic and military interests in the canal have significantly depreciated over time. However United States policy calls for global access and freedom of navigation to protect its vital interests. These principles combined with national prestige and honor will require the United States to consider the Panama Canal a vital interest in the twenty-first century.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>