Pretexts for war or reasons for war, Part II

  1. 1990:
    1. Administration Goal: End the regime of Manuel Noriega, a former CIA spy, double agent against the US for Cuba and for drug interests, and drug king pin
    2. Action: US invasion of Panama and arrest of Manuel Noriega
    3. Public Reason: Suppression of democracy because Manuel Noriega overthrew the election of a successor
    4. Honesty of public reason: Honest, so far as it went. There was more to it.
    5. Danger: The people and governments of Latin America would continue to see the USA as interfering in the governing of Latin America.
  2. 1985:
    1. Administration goal: To illegally sell weapons to Iran in exchange for funds for weapons for the Contras who sought to overthrow the left wing government of Nicaragua.
    2. Action: Contras were supported in their effort to overthrow the government of Nicaraguq
    3. Public Reason: None, because this was all illegal.
    4. Honesty of public reason: See above
    5. Outcome: Accustom people to illegal behavior, which was ultimately admitted to. Some actors were found guilty, some not, some pardoned by GHW Bush before he left office. The people and governments of Latin America would continue to see the USA as interfering in the governing of Latin America. The people and government of Iran would see the US as manipulative and dangerous.