The Weak and the Powerful: Omar Torrijos, Washington, and the Non-Aligned Movement

Due to the large amount of commerce that travels across the Central American isthmus via the canal, Panama is a country whose geopolitical significance exceeds its size. The 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties resulted in the peaceful transfer of control to Panama's Canal Authority in 1999. The Weak and the Powerful explores how a weak nation negotiated the Cold War and how a strongman navigated between competing power blocs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2024
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

Panama, a country whose geopolitical significance surpasses its physical size, holds immense importance due to the vast amount of trade that traverses the Central American isthmus through its canal. For nearly a century, the United States had occupied and exerted control over the Panama Canal Zone and its shipping operations. However, in 1999, control was transferred to the Panama Canal Authority, marking a peaceful transition facilitated by the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The book "The Weak and the Powerful" delves into the intriguing dynamics of how a weak nation navigated the complexities of the Cold War, while also exploring how a strong leader navigated between rival power blocs.

Omar Torrijos assumed power in Panama through a coup d'état in 1968 and ruled the country until his passing in 1981. During his tenure, he committed Panama to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which purported to uphold principles of noninterference and opposition to imperialism. Jonathan C. Brown's work examines how Torrijos and the NAM successfully mobilized global opinion against the powerful, exerting pressure on the United States to uphold its democratic and international ideals concerning the sovereignty of the canal. The author also highlights the limitations of world opinion in addressing the challenges of ideologically motivated warfare prevalent in neighboring Central American states.

In conclusion, Panama's geopolitical significance stems from its strategic location and the immense volume of trade passing through its canal. The country's history of occupation and control by the United States, followed by a peaceful transfer of authority in 1999, is a testament to the power of diplomacy and international agreements. The book "The Weak and the Powerful" offers valuable insights into the complex negotiations and strategies employed by nations, highlighting the role of global opinion in shaping international relations and the challenges faced by weak countries in navigating the complex terrain of the Cold War and beyond.

Weight: 664g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822948070