America's Blind Spot Chavez, Oil, and U.S. Security

High oil prices are bound to undermine the U.S. economic recovery, unless global supplies increase significantly. Latin America holds the world's biggest oil reserves after the Middle East, but politics are hindering its potential, especially in Venezuela. Global U.S. security would benefit from a revamping of outdated and misguided idealism-driven policies toward Latin America, which, in fact, strengthen anti-American forces led by President Hugo Chávez. This is a blind spot in American politics, one that threatens U.S. geopolitical and economic interests. At stake, ultimately, is the U.S.'s ability to navigate a shifting world and protect its way of life. Washington needs a new regional policy not only to neutralize Chávez, but also to secure long term access to Latin America's oil, improve global security, and counter the rising influence of regional players.America's Blind Spot offers a fascinating and thorough analysis of key geopolitical and economic threats to the U.S., highlighting the need for a new Latin American policy doctrine based on military and strategic priorities.

PrefacePart One: America's failed relations south of the borderChapter 1: National security: the idealist curseChapter 2: The Bolivarian caudillo and failed US policyChapter 3: Gauging Chávez as a threatPart Two : The century of oil, againChapter 4: America and energy: an "addiction" hard to kickChapter 5: America and oil imports: until death do us partChapter 6: Global oil supplies and American securityChapter 7: Latin America: the new frontierPart Three: A new approachChapter 8: Colombian lessons for ObamaChapter 9: The way forward