Changes

The United States has occasionally relinquished territory.  The most significant example of this was certainly the granting of independence in 1946 to the [[Phillipines]] as part of the general [[decolonization]] of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] following [[World War II]].  Under both [[autocratic]] and [[democratic]] governments, the Phillipines have subsequently remained a strong American ally, and today contribute more troops to the U. S. [[military]] than some states.  Other Pacific territories such as the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] and [[Palau]] have also become independent in the postwar era with little objection from opinion leaders on the mainland.  More controversial was the 1977 agreement between President [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[General]] [[Omar Torrijos]] to return the [[Panama Canal Zone]], which had been part of the United States since 1914, to [[Panama]] in the year 2000.  Ultimately the United States lived up to this agreement despite the worst fears of both [[liberals]] (who decried [[Operation Just Cause]], the 1989 invasion of Panama) and [[conservatives]] (who feared the management of the [[Panama Canal]] by [[Chinese]] interests).

The United States has occasionally relinquished territory.  The most significant example of this was certainly the granting of independence in 1946 to the [[Phillipines]] as part of the general [[decolonization]] of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] following [[World War II]].  Under both [[autocratic]] and [[democratic]] governments, the Phillipines have subsequently remained a strong American ally, and today contribute more troops to the U. S. [[military]] than some states.  Other Pacific territories such as the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] and [[Palau]] have also become independent in the postwar era with little objection from opinion leaders on the mainland.  More controversial was the 1977 agreement between President [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[General]] [[Omar Torrijos]] to return the [[Panama Canal Zone]], which had been part of the United States since 1914, to [[Panama]] in the year 2000.  Ultimately the United States lived up to this agreement despite the worst fears of both [[liberals]] (who decried [[Operation Just Cause]], the 1989 invasion of Panama) and [[conservatives]] (who feared the management of the [[Panama Canal]] by [[Chinese]] interests).

During the early years of the 21st century, the USA, in its [[War On Terror]], declared shortly after the attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11th, became more heavily involved in international politics, culminating in the [[Iraq War]]. Its human rights record, however, has fallen under question, with the use of [[torture]] and [[extraordinary rendition]] at [[Guantanamo Bay detention centre]].

During the early years of the 21st century, the USA, in its [[War On Terror]], declared shortly after the attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11th, became more heavily involved in international politics, culminating in the [[Iraq War]]. Its human rights record, however, has fallen under question, with the use of [[torture]] and [[extraordinary rendition]] at [[Guantanamo Bay detention centre]]; likewise, its committment to international peacekeeping and development is called into question by its refusal to pay its [[United Nations]] dues (currently, even after the reluctantly signed Helms-Biden agreement, the United States still owes 41%, or $1.246 billion dollars, to the United Nations that it has refused to pay <ref>http://www.un.org/ga/president/55/speech/una_usa.htm</ref>).

[[Category:North American Countries]]

[[Category:North American Countries]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States]]

[[Category:United States]]