Analysis
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced Aug. 29 that a free
trade agreement (FTA) with the United States has become a "key third-term
priority" for his government. Support for a deal is growing on both sides
of the Pacific, as it would greatly enhance economic and political
cooperation between the two allies.
However, despite the fact that U.S. President George W. Bush recently
received congressional approval for trade promotion authority -- giving him
the power to negotiate trade deals that Congress cannot amend --
negotiations with Canberra will not proceed as quickly as they recently
have with Singapore or Morocco. There are several obstacles in place that
will prevent any deal from being finalized before 2005 or implemented
before 2008.
An FTA between Canberra and Washington would invigorate an already robust
and friendly relationship. Australia was one of the first states to commit
forces to the U.S. war on terrorism, as well as to the campaign in
Afghanistan. Australia also has accepted the role of http://www.stratfor.com/standard/analysis_view.php?ID=100377>
and of the southern anchor in Washington's Asia-Pacific defense strategy.
In addition, Canberra enjoys nearly unfettered access to U.S. military
technology and intelligence.
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A recent statement by the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
directly links illicit drug trafficking in the United States to Middle
Eastern militant groups. The U.S. administration could use the issue to put
more diplomatic pressure on Middle Eastern governments such as Syria and Iran.
Analysis
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Asa Hutchinson told CNN Sept. 2
that money from illicit drug sales in the United States is being used to
fund Middle Eastern militant organizations, including Lebanon-based
Hezbollah. More than 130 people, many of them of Middle Eastern origin,
reportedly were arrested earlier this year when authorities busted a
methamphetamine ring in the Midwest.
According to the CNN report, the DEA found that the alleged drug dealers
had laundered millions of dollars in the United States and had wired the
money to bank accounts connected to terrorist groups in Lebanon and Yemen.
There are several possible motives behind Hutchinson's linking of Middle
Eastern militants to drug trafficking, but in any case it could reshape
both U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
Hutchinson's comments may be part of an attempt by the DEA to reinvigorate
the U.S. war on drugs -- as well as get more funds for anti-drug efforts in
Colombia -- by tying terrorism to narcotics trafficking. Congress will come
back into session soon and will begin deciding budget allotments. Since
Sept. 11, many agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, have focused less
on drug interdiction efforts in places like the Gulf of Mexico and more on
homeland defense issues like port security. The DEA would like to see this
attention shift back more toward drugs.
Chaos and Neglect Dominate U.S. Agenda in Latin America
Latin America still has not assumed high priority on the Bush
administration's radar, despite previous pledges the president has made.
Disorganization and confusion within the White House's Latin America team
have left leaders in the region wondering who is in charge
...or what.
