World events since 1989 have shattered long-held assumptions about the global international order and drastically reshaped relations between the United States and Latin America. Talons of the Eagle presents a vivid portrayal of this rapidly changing relationship and casts important new light on contemporary issues such as economic integration, environmental protection, drug trafficking, and undocumented migration. Smith's examination encompasses the imperialism of the late 18th and 19th centuries, ideological conflicts deriving from the Cold War, and the very recent surge of optimism and pessimism attending NAFTA and the emerging "new world order." From the early politics of U.S. expansion through the Cold War to the continuing "war on drugs," Smith provides a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of more than 200 years of turbulent history. By focusing on international systems, the distribution of power, and the perception and pursuit of national interests, Smith uncovers recurrent regularities in the resulting interaction between Latin America and the United States, makes available a compelling analysis of continuity and change, and offers provocative insight into portents for the future.