Our Own Backyard The United States in Central America 1977 1992

In this remarkable and engaging book, William LeoGrande offers the first comprehensive history of U.S. foreign policy toward Central America in the waning years of the Cold War. From the overthrow of the Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the outbreak of El Salvador's civil war in the late 1970s to the final regional peace settlements negotiated a decade later, he chronicles the dramatic struggles—in Washington and Central America—that shaped the region's destiny.

For good or ill, LeoGrande argues, Central America's fate hinged on decisions that were subject to intense struggles among, and within, Congress, the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the White House—decisions over which Central Americans themselves had little influence. Like the domestic turmoil unleashed by Vietnam, he says, the struggle over Central America was so divisive that it damaged the fabric of democratic politics at home. It inflamed the tug-of-war between Congress and the executive branch over control of foreign policy and ultimately led to the Iran-contra affair, the nation's most serious political crisis since Watergate.

Throughout, the analysis is thorough and clear.

New York Times Book Review

Easily one of the most authoritative studies of U.S.-Latin American relations and the twentieth century.

Historian

An eminently clear, accessible and restrained account of a lamentable phase in US-Latin American relations.

International Affairs

The work of a scholar and government advisor, this book chronicles U.S. involvement in Central America between 1977 and 1992, one of the most controversial chapters in the history of American foreign policy.

The work of a scholar and government advisor, this book chronicles U.S. involvement in Central America between 1977 and 1992, one of the most controversial chapters in the history of American foreign policy.The work of a scholar and government advisor, this book chronicles U.S. involvement in Central America between 1977 and 1992, one of the most controversial chapters in the history of American foreign policy.

An insider•s account, told in a compelling, journalistic style that non-academics will appreciate.

A Washington Post Book World Pick of the Fall Crop. A masterly and comprehensive chronicle of U.S. policy toward Central America in the 1980s.

Atlantic Monthly Throughout, the analysis is thorough and clear.

New York Times Book Review Easily one of the most authoritative studies of U.S.-Latin American relations and the twentieth century.

Historian An eminently clear, accessible and restrained account of a lamentable phase in US-Latin American relations.

International Affairs

Includes bibliographical references (p. 723-744) and index.

William M. LeoGrande is professor of government at American University. A specialist in Latin American politics and U.S. foreign policy, he has been a frequent adviser to the government and private foundations and has served on committee staffs in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Preface

Abbreviations Used in the Text

Part I. Origins

1. A New Beginning

2. The Dragons' Teeth of War

3. From Carter to Reagan

4. The Vicar Draws the Line

5. A New Policy for Nicaragua

6. Tough Guys

Part II. El Salvador

7. The Tonic of Elections

8. The War Party Takes Control

9. The President Moves to Center Stage

10. The Politics of Murder

11. From Conflict to Consensus

12. El Salvador Disappears

Part III. Nicaragua

13. Launching the Not-So-Secret War

14. Gunboat Diplomacy

15. Bringing the War to a Head

16. Peace Offensive

17. Project Democracy

18. Getting Back in the Game

19. High Noon

20. Iran-Contra

21. Giving Peace a Chance

22. The Last Hurrah

Part IV. Denouement

23. A Kinder, Gentler Policy?

24. Why Were We in Central America?

Notes

Bibliography

Index