Western View

The Pentagon yesterday released a "Western Hemisphere Defense Policy Statement," that "explains how the January 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance will shape DOD engagement in the Western Hemisphere." The document finds that "the capacity of national civil authorities, including law enforcement, throughout the hemisphere is uneven." Further, "In some countries civilian authorities have been overwhelmed by the magnitude of response required by the security challenges they face. This gap in civilian capacity has led some national leaders to expand their reliance on the armed forces to supplement law enforcement and provide humanitarian support."