Michael Shifter
Michael Shifter
Michael Shifter is President of the Inter-American Dialogue and an Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and writes for the Council's journal Foreign Affairs. He is also a member of the Latin American Studies Association, and a contributing editor to Current History...
core element indication passions remember seen tolerate
I haven't seen any indication of a willingness to tolerate Morales' positions, and you have to remember that eradicating coca is a core element of U.S. drug policy. This is where the passions are greatest, especially in Congress.
barely congress free future life revealed squeezed trade
You can say CAFTA went through, but what it revealed is that free trade is on life support, ... It barely squeezed through Congress and doesn't bode well for future deals.
face follow test
But now the test is, 'Can he follow through?' ... Ultimately, he will face real decisions.
coherent comment further proof
The Rumsfeld comment is further proof that the administration doesn't have a coherent policy. There are very conflicting signals.
bush worse
It could have been worse if Bush had been embarrassed, or humiliated.
dismiss quick
I think they're not as quick to dismiss his bluster as they used to be.
chavez deal headed looks
It looks like we are headed for a collision. Chavez realizes that the U.S. doesn't have an idea of how to deal with him.
blocking opposition parties seen tries
If the opposition parties are seen as not being constructive and blocking everything Morales tries to do that would not be in their own interests.
chavez clarity lack messages president reflect strategic strategy thinking
These conflicting messages reflect a lack of clarity and coherence. When (Venezuelan President Hugo) Chavez speaks, they react. There is no strategy of thinking longer-term and in more strategic terms.
balance base both capital finding foreign formula national political pose pragmatic remains severe stake strike strong test unclear whether
It remains unclear how pragmatic Morales will actually be once in office, and whether he'll be able to strike the formula of accommodating both his base and national and foreign capital that have a strong stake in Bolivia's economy. Finding that balance will pose the most severe test of Morales's political skills.
carrying difficult governs quite radical
If he governs by really carrying out his agenda, which is quite a radical agenda, I think it's going to be very difficult for him.
america care latin needs start washington
There has been a sense that Latin America can take care of itself, but Washington needs to start repairing the tattered relations.
anxious business feared fiercely hit welcome words
Those words must have been welcome to anxious business groups, who feared a fiercely confrontational tone. He hit some conciliatory notes.
brazil case chavez closing discipline finance fiscal labels left meaning milton ministers please present shows stress surprise
To be frank, it doesn't surprise me. Chavez is a case apart; but if you look at the finance ministers -- Chile, Uruguay, Brazil -- all of them would please Milton Friedman with their fiscal discipline and their closing down of debts. And even those on the left stress 'effectiveness' as the model. It shows that the old labels don't have a lot of meaning in the present context.