The imperial era -- The cold war -- Decade of uncertainty -- The war on terrorTopical and up to date, Talons of the Eagle: Latin America, the United States, and the World, Fourth Edition, presents an eminent scholar's perspective on the interaction between global trends and inter-American affairs--a subject that has become crucially important in the current era. Ratherthan concentrating solely on U.S. policy, Peter H. Smith uniquely addresses the structural relationships between the two regions by focusing on international systems, the distribution of power, and the perception and pursuit of national interests. Throughout, this provocative text casts light onsuch contemporary issues as economic integration, drug trafficking, undocumented migration, and the rise of Latin America's "new left." It also analyzes Latin American reactions and responses to the U.S.--and to the rest of the world--in these complex and troubling times.