U.S.-Latin American Nuclear Relations: From Commitment to Defiance.

摘要

Latin America is once again playing an active role in economic and world affairs. This recent activism is taking place after the region experienced decades of stagnant growth, financial chaos, and political instability. To date, Latin American countries are experiencing robust economic growth, spurred mostly by a strong Asian demand for commodities and the rapid expansion of middle classes across the region. In this context, there is a general recognition that nuclear power will likely play an important role in Latin America. Already, three states have nuclear plants within their territories Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico and they are reconsidering an expansion of their nuclear energy capacity. Likewise, countries such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela have expressed increased interest in nuclear power generation as they have limited or finite indigenous energy resources to sustain their growth. In view of the possible greater need for nuclear power in the Western Hemisphere, this project focuses on an analysis of U.S.-Latin American nuclear cooperation. How do Latin American states cooperate with U.S. nonproliferation efforts. What issue-areas create sources of tension and which ones promote increased nuclear cooperation. What challenges do Latin America states face. How does the region's increased interest in nuclear power challenge U.S. security interests.