America's Commitment to Haiti: How Much for How Long?

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President Obama has made the US response to Haiti's earthquake a "top priority across the federal government." He says he's mobilized "every element of our national capacity" and promises the US will be there with Haiti "every step of the way." Others contend that Haiti already is over-dependent on foreign aid, and that its history and culture make it resistant to positive change. The US is fighting wars and facing enemies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen. Are there security interests in Haiti, too? How long will it take?  How much will it cost? We look at the consequences of long-term involvement and of abandoning a troubled neighbor once more.

Credits

Guests:

  • John Barry - distinguished scholar at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, author of “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History”
  • Johanna Mendelson Forman - Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies' Americas Program
  • Laurent Dubois - Soccer Politics Blog - @SoccerPolitics
  • Bernice Robertson - Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group's Haiti, Latin America and Caribbean Program

Host:

Warren Olney