Meeting the nation's petroleum needs from affordable and securesources is vital for national security. The best guarantee forfuture energy security remains a stable, democratic WesternHemisphere with relationships based on genuine respect fordemocracy, constitutional government with real checks and balances,and the rule of law.
During his January 12 meeting with Mexican President FelipeCalderon, President-elect Obama has an opportunity to set a tonefor U.S. relations with Mexico that recognize our nations'substantial differences and separation points but lays out a policycourse for constructive action on security, trade, migration, andother pressing issues.
Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton specified the threeguiding "D's" of U.S. foreign policy: defense, development, anddiplomacy. When she heads to El Salvador next week, she needs topack a fourth "D": democracy.
The Obama administration says it's in the process of altering our nation's policies in Latin America. It promises modest steps to allow Cuban-Americans to travel more often, for example, and seems to be leaning toward further diplomatic overtures elsewhere. But "change" isn't always an improvement.
When Barack Obama takes the traditional first foreign trip as the new U.S. President to Ottawa on February 19, our northern neighbors will be watching closely-and somewhat nervously.