45 Quotes by Michael Shifter

There is powerful symbolism in what's happening in Costa Rica. Here is a country with enormous affinity with the United States, where there is a tremendous convergence of shared values ... and even they are not convinced that unquestioned support of the United States is in their best interests.

When you have that amount of concentrated power, bad things tend to happen.

But now the test is, 'Can he follow through?' ... Ultimately, he will face real decisions.

To be frank, it doesn't surprise me. Chavez is a case apart; but if you look at the finance ministers -- Chile, Uruguay, Brazil -- all of them would please Milton Friedman with their fiscal discipline and their closing down of debts. And even those on the left stress 'effectiveness' as the model. It shows that the old labels don't have a lot of meaning in the present context.

Washington is a specialist in doing things that benefit Chavez.

Brazil is an absolutely critical player in the hemisphere. There is a limit to how much progress the U.S. can make on any issue, free trade included, without Brazil's support and cooperation.

Brazil is an absolutely critical player in the hemisphere, ... There is a limit to how much progress the U.S. can make on any issue, free trade included, without Brazil's support and cooperation.

There's no consensus on how to move forward.

The Rumsfeld comment is further proof that the administration doesn't have a coherent policy. There are very conflicting signals.